June 18, 2025: Kneecap's Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh - aka Mo Chara - leaving Westminster Magistrates' Court.Getty Images

Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, one-third of the Belfast-based Irish language hip hop trio Kneecap, had his first court appearance in London today, Wednesday, June 18, after being charged with a terrorism offence in May.

Ó hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, is charged with displaying a flag in support of Hizballah, a proscribed organisation.

Police allege that on November 21, 2024, Ó hAnnaidh displayed a flag at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town in LondoN "in such a way or in such circumstances as to arouse reasonable suspicion that he is a supporter of a proscribed organisation, namely Hizballah, contrary to section 13(1)(b) and (3) of the Terrorism Act 2000."

Officers from the Met's Counter Terrorism Command were made aware of an online video from the event on Tuesday, April 22, prompting an investigation which led to the charge.

Kneecap slammed the charge as "political policing" and "a carnival of distraction."

"We are not the story. Genocide is," the group said, adding, "As they profit from genocide, they use an 'anti-terror law' against us for displaying a flag thrown on stage."

They vowed: "We are on the right side of history. You are not. We will fight you in court. We will win."

Kneecap's Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh. (Getty Images)

"More Blacks. More Dogs. More Irish. Mo Chara"

The day before Wednesday's hearing, Kneecap said had "plastered London with a few messages ahead of this witch-hunt."

The billboard and projection campaign unveiled around Westminster featured the phrase "MORE BLACKS. MORE DOGS. MORE IRISH. MO CHARA," a spin on the discriminatory "No Blacks, No Dogs, No Irish" signs from the mid-20th century.

On Wednesday morning, Kneecap supporters - many waving Irish and Palestinian flags - flocked to Westminster Magistrates' Court in a show of support.

Ó hAnnaidh was accompanied by his bandmates Naoise Ó Cairealláin (Móglaí Bap) and J. J. Ó Dochartaigh (DJ Próvaí), as well as the band's manager Daniel Lambert.

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"Apparent support by Mr. Ó hAnnaidh of a proscribed terrorist organisation"

The Irish Times reports that in court on Wednesday, prosecutor Michael Bisgrove said: “It’s not about Mr. Ó hAnnaidh’s support for the people of Palestine or his criticism of Israel.

“He’s well within his rights to voice his opinions and solidarity, as is anybody else.

“The allegation in this case is a wholly different thing and deals with a video recording showing that, in November of last year, Mr. Ó hAnnaidh wore and displayed the flag of Hizbullah, a proscribed terrorist organisation, while saying ‘up Hamas, up Hizbullah’.

“Of course, support for the one is not the same as support for the other.

“So the issue in this case, and the reason it has come to court, it centres on the apparent support by Mr. Ó hAnnaidh of a proscribed terrorist organisation.”

Reuters reports that Brenda Campbell, Ó hAnnaidh’s lawyer, said the defence would argue the charge was brought after the six-month limit to bring such a charge.

"If we are right in relation to that, then this court has no jurisdiction and there ends the case," she said.

Judge Paul Goldspring said a hearing will be held on August 20 to determine whether the charge was brought too late.

Ó hAnnaidh, who only spoke to confirm his name, birth date, and address in court, was released on unconditional bail.

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Irish translator

On social media, Kneecap's manager Daniel Lambert shared a moment from the hearing, which he described as the "funniest moment of the day."

He wrote: "The magistrate (judge) said the court had so far been unable to find an Irish translator.

"'If anyone knows of one….' he said

"The entire public gallery laugh and all point at DJ Próvaí (JJ) at the same time."

In the band's semi-autobiographical movie "Kneecap," DJ Próvaí acted as a translator for Mo Chara:

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"They're already on the back foot..."

After Wednesday's hearing in London, Kneecap thanked their supporters, adding "see yis again August 20th."

The trio said: "They're already on the back foot...

"We will fight. We will win.

"FREE PALESTINE"

They also noted that some friends had launched a crowdfund to "take on the British witch-hunt." The CrowdJustice page, entitled "Support Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh: Defend Artistic Expression," has raised more than £19k.