Members of Irish-language rap trio Kneecap wore ‘Free Mo Chara’ t-shirts as a band member appeared in court to face a terrorism charge over a Hezbollah flag.
The musicians smiled and gave a thumbs up to crowds of hundreds of supporters outside Westminster Magistrates’ Court as they walked up the stairs of the building on Wednesday.
Liam Og O hAnnaidh, also known as Mo Chara, is accused of displaying a flag in support of the proscribed terrorist organisation Hezbollah during a gig at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, north London, last November.
Wearing a dark zip-up jacket and trousers, the musician spoke briefly to confirm his identity at the beginning of the hearing in front of Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring.
Prosecutor Michael Bisgrove said: “This case is not about Mr O hAnnaidh’s support for the people of Palestine or his criticism of Israel.”
He told the court Mr O hAnnaidh is “well within his rights” to express his support and solidarity for Palestinians.
It is alleged that Mr O hAnnaidh, who appeared on the court list as Liam O’Hanna, displayed a Hezbollah flag and said “up Hamas, up Hezbollah” at the gig.
The star was released on unconditional bail until his next hearing on 20 August, when legal argument will be dealt with. He received a round of applause outside the courtroom after the short hearing.
The 27-year-old was supported by bandmates Naoise Ó Cairealláin and J J Ó Dochartaigh, who arrived to a scrum of hundreds of fans who cheered as their vehicle pulled up.
Crowds gathered outside the court before the hearing, holding placards saying “Defend Kneecap”. The group of protesters of all ages cheered as an ad van emblazoned with the support slogan used for Mo Chara – ‘More Blacks, More Dogs, More Irish, Mo Chara’ – drove past the court.
Charles Parker, 35, said protesting was important to him because he believed in “freedom of speech”, adding: “I have been a fan of Kneecap since I saw them in Belfast about five years ago.”
Copywriter Victoria Ashworth and her daughter Lily travelled from their home in Brighton to attend the protest before the court hearing for Mr Og O hAnnaidh.
Ms Ashworth, 53, said: “I just feel like the charges are utterly ridiculous. I believe in freedom of speech.”
The Belfast rap group claimed to have “plastered” London with messages backing their bandmate ahead of his court appearance, describing the prosecution as a “witch hunt” in a post on X on Tuesday evening.
Mr O hAnnaidh is accused of displaying a flag in a public place, “in such a way or in such circumstances as to arouse reasonable suspicion that he is a supporter of a proscribed organisation” – namely Hezbollah.
The Lebanese group is a proscribed terror organisation in the UK, meaning it is illegal to be a member or support them.
The Metropolitan Police said the force had charged Mr O hAnnaidh after initially being made aware of a video from the gig at the O2 Forum, which had been posted online.
Kneecap said they have “never supported” Hamas or Hezbollah, both of which are banned in the UK.
