Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, known as Mo Chara of Belfast hip‑hop trio Kneecap, has been charged after video footage allegedly showed a Hezbollah flag at an O2 Forum show; he was granted unconditional bail and the band says it will contest the prosecution amid large demonstrations and a wider debate over artistic freedom.
Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh — the Belfast‑born rapper who performs as Mo Chara in the Irish hip‑hop trio Kneecap — has been charged in relation to an incident at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town on 21 November 2024 that prosecutors say involved the public display of a Hezbollah flag. According to reporting, the matter was brought to the attention of the Metropolitan Police’s counter‑terrorism command in April 2025 and Ó hAnnaidh was due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 18 June 2025. The band says it will contest the charge.
The charge stems from video footage that surfaced online; the Met has said it investigated that material after being alerted on 22 April 2025. Prosecutors frame the allegation as one of public support for a proscribed organisation — a legal category that in the United Kingdom includes both Hezbollah and Hamas — rather than a prosecution for holding particular political views, the reporting states.
At his first appearance, Ó hAnnaidh was granted unconditional bail, according to coverage of the court hearing, while other reports noted he had not yet entered a formal plea at that stage. Prosecutors emphasised to the court that the charge concerns alleged support for a proscribed organisation. The defence has signalled legal arguments that include questioning the admissibility of timing and procedural issues around the circulating footage. A fuller hearing has been scheduled for later in the year.
The proceedings have prompted large, vocal gatherings of supporters. Hundreds of people — many waving Irish and Palestinian flags, wearing “Free Mo Chara” T‑shirts and carrying banners and ad vans bearing the band’s slogans — gathered outside Westminster Magistrates’ Court, chanting and drumming. The Metropolitan Police imposed conditions on where demonstrations could take place, saying policing plans were in place for related events to ensure public safety and to prevent disruption. Organisers of subsequent gigs have said they monitored events closely.
Kneecap have characterised the investigation and charge as political. “Political policing,” the band said in a public response that was reported in national outlets, arguing the action was intended to silence criticism of Israel’s conduct in Gaza; other coverage recorded the band and supporters calling the prosecution a “witch hunt”. The group has staged surprise shows and public stunts, and vowed to defend the case in court. Editorially, those claims are the band’s account of events.
Beyond the courtroom, the episode has fed into a broader debate in music and festivals about artistic freedom and public safety. The band’s pro‑Palestine messaging at recent international appearances prompted calls from some politicians and commentators for organisers to remove them from line‑ups; at the same time, more than a hundred musicians publicly urged festivals to retain Kneecap on principle. Despite controversy and calls for a ban from some quarters, the trio have continued to secure festival slots.
The dispute highlights competing imperatives for police and event organisers: balancing the enforcement of terrorism‑related laws with the need to safeguard free expression and the smooth running of live events. The Met has said its actions are about public safety and enforcing the law; the band and its supporters say the policing decisions are politically motivated. Both positions have shaped how promoters, venues and festivals have reacted to forthcoming shows.
Legally, the case will turn on the interpretation of footage and whether the elements of an offence under the Terrorism Act can be proven in court. Observers note the prosecution relies heavily on the circulating video evidence and on whether that display can be shown to have been intended to express support for a proscribed organisation. The defence’s procedural arguments over time limits and evidence will be a key part of the next stages of the proceedings. The band has said it will continue to contest the charge vigorously.
The episode is likely to remain a flashpoint in discussions about the limits of protest, the responsibilities of performers, and how cultural institutions navigate politically charged expression. For now, the legal process will determine whether the public controversy becomes a criminal conviction or a contested, and potentially precedent‑setting, court judgment.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative is based on a press release from The Standard, dated August 20, 2025, reporting on the upcoming court appearance of Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh (Mo Chara) on August 20, 2025. This suggests the content is fresh and original. However, similar reports have appeared in reputable outlets such as the Financial Times and Reuters in May 2025, indicating that the core information has been previously reported. The press release format typically warrants a high freshness score, but the earlier coverage may indicate some recycled content. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were identified. The narrative does not include updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged. No republishing across low-quality sites or clickbait networks was observed. The earliest known publication date of substantially similar content is May 2025.
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative includes direct quotes from the band and legal representatives, such as:
– “We deny this ‘offence’ and will vehemently defend ourselves.”
– “We are not the story.”
These quotes are consistent with statements made by the band in previous reports from May 2025. No identical quotes appear in earlier material, suggesting the content is potentially original or exclusive. No variations in quote wording were noted.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from The Standard, a reputable UK news outlet. The Financial Times and Reuters have also covered the story, indicating that the information is corroborated by multiple reputable sources. The band Kneecap is a known entity with a public presence, and the legal proceedings are documented in official court records. No unverifiable entities or fabricated information were identified.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative aligns with known facts:
– Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh (Mo Chara) has been charged under the Terrorism Act for allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag during a November 2024 concert.
– The band has publicly denied endorsing Hezbollah or Hamas and plans to contest the charge.
– Supporters have gathered at court hearings, and the band has performed at events like Glastonbury despite the controversy.
The language and tone are consistent with UK English usage. No excessive or off-topic detail unrelated to the claim was noted. The tone is formal and factual, resembling typical news reporting.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is based on a press release from The Standard, dated August 20, 2025, reporting on the upcoming court appearance of Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh (Mo Chara) on August 20, 2025. While similar reports have appeared in reputable outlets such as the Financial Times and Reuters in May 2025, the content is fresh and original. The quotes are consistent with previous statements, and the source is reliable. The narrative is plausible, with no discrepancies or signs of disinformation identified.
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