Kneecap rapper launched on unconditional bail over terror cost

A rapper with Irish language hip-hop group Kneecap has been launched on unconditional bail after showing in a London court docket on a terror cost.

Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, charged underneath the title Liam O’Hanna, is accused of displaying a flag in help of proscribed organisation Hezbollah at a London gig.

The 27-year-old, who performs underneath the title Mo Chara, arrived at Westminster Magistrates’ Courtroom accompanied by band members Móglaí Bap (Naoise Ó Cairealláin) and DJ Próvaí (JJ Ó Dochartaigh).

Supporters of the group supplied a spherical of applause exterior a court docket in London on Wednesday, after the looks.

Mr Ó hAnnaidh will seem at court docket for the subsequent listening to on 20 August.

The chief Justice of the Peace Paul Goldspring informed him he should attend court docket on that day.

The court docket room was full and court docket workers had to usher in extra seats for journalists.

In an announcement, posted on social media in Might, Kneecap mentioned: “We deny this ‘offence’ and can vehemently defend ourselves.”

The band arrived at court docket on Wednesday carrying “Free Mo Chara” T-shirts.

Musicians, supporters, and activists crowded exterior court docket.

Giant inexperienced flags saying “Free Speech, Free Palestine” are additionally on show.

A mix of Palestinian and Kneecap flags have been being held by among the crowd, and cheers have been heard after a van drove previous displaying the slogan “Extra Blacks, Extra Canines, Extra Irish, Mo Chara”.

The slogan is a spin on a well known discriminatory phrase discovered exterior some UK boarding homes from the Nineteen Fifties.

Kneecap mentioned it had “plastered” London with messages of help for its band member.

The movie gained a British Academy of Movie Award (Bafta) in February 2025.

In April, the group confronted criticism after displaying messages in regards to the struggle in Gaza throughout their set at US music competition Coachella.

In November 2024, the group gained its case in opposition to the UK authorities over a choice Kemi Badenoch took when she was a minister to withdraw an arts grant.