Irish Rapper Escapes Terror Charge: 'This Wasn't About Me'

UPDATE Sep 26, 2025 10:13 AM CDT

A London court on Friday threw out a terror-related charge against a member of the controversial Irish rap group Kneecap, basing its decision on a technical error in the way the charge was brought forward, reports the AP. Paul Goldspring, chief magistrate at Woolwich Crown Court, said the case should be thrown out, agreeing with lawyers for Liam Og O hAnnaidh—aka Mo Chara, aka Liam O'Hanna—that the prosecutors had missed the deadline for the charge by a day, drawing cheers from the court's public gallery, as well as a thumbs-up from the 27-year-old O'Hanna. Outside court, O'Hanna, who was accused of waving a Hezbollah flag at a concert in London, said the case "was never about me," per the BBC. "It was always about Gaza, about what happens if you dare to speak up." He added, "Your attempts to silence us have failed, because we're right and you're wrong."

May 21, 2025 6:35 PM CDT

A member of the Irish hip-hop group Kneecap has been charged by British police with a terrorism offense after allegedly waving a Hezbollah flag at a London concert. Liam Og O hAnnaidh, who performs as Mo Chara, is accused of displaying the flag in support of a banned organization during a performance at the Kentish Town Forum on Nov. 21, the AP reports. London's Metropolitan Police said he's to appear in court on June 18. Authorities are also reviewing another incident involving a 2023 Kneecap concert.

Kneecap, a Belfast-based trio, is known for its Irish-language lyrics—along with strong language, drug references, and political commentary. Videos—including one in which the band allegedly shouted "Up Hamas, up Hezbollah!"—emerged last month after the band criticized Israel's conduct in the Gaza war at the Coachella festival and got the crowd to chant "Free, free Palestine," CNN reports. Kneecap members have said that they don't support Hamas or Hezbollah and that the videos were taken "out of context." Numerous Kneecap gigs have been canceled over the outcry, but the trio is still scheduled to play a festival in London on Friday, reports the BBC.