Kneecap‘s Mo Chara appeared at London’s Westminster Magistrates’ Court today (Wednesday June 18) on charges of terrorism. Upon arrival he was greeted by a huge crowd of fans and pro-Palestine protestors as the band proudly and loudly declared: “We are on the right side of history”.

The controversial rap trio from Belfast Ireland have been the subject of much media speculation since thier performance at Coachella in April; following which Sharon Osbourne amongst others demanded that the trio have their passports removed from them.

At the festvial the band proclaimed and declared pro-Palestine messages by displaying the words “Fuck Israel” on the screens, while telling the US crowd that “Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people… it is being enabled by the US government who arm and fund Israel despite their war crimes” .

Following the festival Mo Chara – real name Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, 27 – found himself facing charges over an alleged incident where he reportedly displayed a Hezbollah flag during a Kneecap showin November last year. Hezbollah is listed as a proscribed terrorist organisation by the UK Government.

Following this allegation, counter-terror police were then said to be assessing footage from the trio’s O2 Forum Kentish Town gig in London which showed a member purportedly shouting “Up Hamas, up Hezbollah,” along with Liam Ó hAnnaidh reportedly flying a Hezbollah flag. The band responded to the news by posting the following: “18 Months Of Genocide Footage Not Under Investigation By UK Counter-Terror Police”. The graphic was then captioned with the words: “Some facts.”

Answering to the charge, Kneecap said that they denied all allegded offences and insisted that they would “vehemently defend ourselves”. “This is political policing,” they further added. “This is a carnival of distraction. We are not the story. Genocide is.”

Kneecap have vocally and consistently denied supporting either Hamas or Hezbollah, and further said that they do not incite or condone violence in any form. They have also pleaded as part of thier evidence that the footage shown from the UK shows has been taken entirely out of context, and have described the legal action them as a “carnival of distraction”.

(Credits: Rachael Pimblett)

After urging fans to show their support for Mo Chara at Westminster with “a big bag of ket” – and posting billboards all across London with the message “More Blacks, More Dogs, More Irish, Mo Chara” – a huge crowd gathered outside the Magistrates’ Court this morning in a show of solidarity.

Amongst the hundreds of supporters who turned up at the Magistrates Court today was mod icon Paul Weller. Paul Weller had previously shown his support of Kneecap by signing an open letter by Love Music Hate Racism, which rallied “against the attempts to silence [Kneecap] for speaking out for Gaza”. Weller attended the group’s show in London last November, as did Noel Gallagher. Kneecap also previously appeared on the bill alongside Paul Weller at a Gig For Gaza charity concert in late 2024.

Inside the Magistrates Court, Liam Og O hAnnaidh simply spoke to confirm his name, date of birth and Belfast address before he was released on unconditional bail until his next hearing date which has been set for 20th August 2025.

At one point during the hearing it is reported that Magistrate Goldspring claimed that the court had been unable to hire an Irish translator, offering “if anyone knows of one…” which was met with laughter from the gallery as the crowds pointed to DJ Próvai who is a former Irish teacher and who acted as a translator when Chara found himself in trouble with the law in the band’s 2024 film.

Speaking outside the court, a Kneecap spokesperson said:

“Around the world, Kneecap are hailed as heroes,” he continued, that the British Courts had “rushed prosecution following their Coachella performance, where Kneecap did not shy away from speaking their truth to power.”

He went on: “The reality is that Kneecap will stand up against political oppression, to defend their rights and the rights of artists and people all around the world. It is not new for Irish people to be prosecuted under special powers for terrorism acts.”

He further commented that the band had played “hundreds of shows without previous complaint”.

He summarised by saying; “Be not afraid, we are on the right side of history.”

The band’s Moglai Bap then took to the mic to speak up for the cause, before inviting fans to see them at Glastonbury and at their upcoming Wembley Arena show.

“If anybody is going to Glastonbury, you can see us there” he said, and – “If anybody can’t be there, we’ll be on the BBC – if anybody watches the BBC. We’ll be at Wembley in September, but most importantly ‘free, free Palestine’.

In addition, a letter was put forward by the band’s label Heavenly Recordings, supporting the right to freedom of expression for musicians and artists. It was made as direct response to the efforts from politicians to have Kneecap removed from several festival line-ups this summer.

Others who signed the open letter included the likes of Tom Morello, Brian Eno, CMAT, Pulp, Fontaines D.C., IDLES, Massive Attack, Paul Weller, Primal Scream, Enter Shikari, English Teacher, The Pogues, Lankum, Sleaford Mods and Thin Lizzy.