Kneecap rapper's terror case thrown out

A recent procedural mistake has led to the dismissal of a terrorism trial against Kneecap rapper Liam Ó hAnnaidh. The rapper, who performs as Mo Chara, was arrested in May 2025 and charged after he allegedly displayed a flag of the banned group Hezbollah at a gig in London in November 2024. He denied the charge, calling it "political." The Chief Magistrate, Paul Goldspring, ruled the charge "unlawful" and "null" because it was not brought within the six-month time limit. The consent from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) was not given until May 22nd, a day after Mr. Ó hAnnaidh's arrest.

Following the decision, Mr. Ó hAnnaidh's lawyer, Jude Bunting KC, stated that the "lawsuit was every bit unjustified because it was flawed." The rapper's parents, who were present at the courthouse, expressed their delight that the ordeal was over.

Rapper's and Band's Reaction

Outside the courthouse, Mr. Ó hAnnaidh said, "This entire process was never about me. It was never about any threat to the public; it was never concerned about terrorism, never about jihad, a term used by your government to shame people you oppress. It was always about Gaza, about what happens if you dare to speak out." He concluded, "Your attempts to silence us have failed because we're correct and you're wrong."

Kneecap band member Móglá Bap told BBC News Northern Ireland that they were "feeling great" and happy that it was over. "We can talk about Palestine and stop worrying about Kneecap," he said.

Kneecap manager Daniel Lambert celebrated the dismissal on social media, writing: "Liam Óg is a free man. We told them we would fight them and win. We did (Twice). Kneecap has NO charges OR convictions in ANY country, EVER. Political policing has failed. Kneecap is on the right track of history. Britain is not."

Official Reactions

First Minister of Northern Ireland Michelle O'Neill (not Mike O'Neill) applauded the decision, stating on X that the charges were "part of a calculated effort to silence those who stand up and protest the Israeli genocide in Gaza."

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said it was "reviewing the court's decision very carefully" and noted that the decision could be appealed. A Metropolitan Police spokesperson confirmed they were "aware of the court's decision" and would "work with the CPS to find the potential consequences of this decision for us and how it might influence future processing of such lawsuits."

About the Band

Kneecap is an Irish-speaking rap group known for their provocative songs and merchandise. The group, which includes Mo Chara (Liam Ó hAnnaidh), Móglá Bap, and DJ Próva, was formed in 2017. A semi-fictionalized film about the band, starring Oscar-nominated actor Michael Fassbender, won a British Academy of Film Award (BAFTA) in February 2025. The band has previously drawn criticism for their public stance on the conflict in Gaza, including releasing alerts about the war during their set at the US music festival Coachella. In November 2024, the group won a legal case against the UK government after a minister, Kemi Badenoch, withdrew an arts grant.