Kneecap terrorism charges: case not heard today

What had been billed as a pivotal court date in the case against Kneecap member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, also known as Mo Chara, turned out to be a brief procedural formality on Wednesday morning, with the hearing being postponed till later in the year. No evidence was brought before the court today.

Wearing a dark jacket and trousers, Ó hAnnaidh confirmed his identity in court, before Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring granted him unconditional bail until a full hearing, which is now set for August 20.

If found guilty, the Belfast rapper could face up to seven years in prison, in line with the Terrorism Act 2000.

Though the legal battle has been postponed, the atmosphere outside the courtroom was anything but quiet. Hundreds of supporters waved tricolours and held placards reading "Free Mo Chara" and "Defend Kneecap", while an ad van circled the block with the slogan "More Blacks, More Dogs, More Irish, Mo Chara."

There were also Palestinian symbols, with Mo Chara wearing a keffiyeh, highlighting the brutal backdrop to the case, with dozens being butchered every week by Israeli forces in Gaza.

Amusingly, there were also placards with humorous puns on Irish-language phrases – including “tiocfaidh ár láwyers”, a joke on the Republican slogan “tiocfaidh ár lá” (our day will come); “Céad mílefair”, riffing on the tourist favourite “Céad míle fáilte” (a hundred thousand welcomes); and “seasaím le Liam Óg” (I stand with young Liam).

Inside the courtroom, Prosecutor Michael Bisgrove said: "This case is not about Mr Ó hAnnaidh’s support for the people of Palestine or his criticism of Israel. He is well within his rights to express that support."

So what then is the rather bizarre case really about? That clearly remains to be seen.

The band has assembled a high-profile legal team including the human rights lawyer Gareth Peirce, who defended the Guildford Four, Jude Bunting KC, and Blinne Ní Ghrálaigh KC, who represented South Africa in its genocide case against Israel at the UN’s top court.

GRMA London.

To all the groups who turned out today fair fucks.

See yis again August 20th.

They're already on the back foot...🔥

We will fight.

We will win.

FREE PALESTINE 🇵🇸

Some friends have set up a crowd fund to take on the British witch-hunt. 👇

Donate here:… pic.twitter.com/PEEKlNCbA2

— KNEECAP (@KNEECAPCEOL) June 18, 2025