Court Dismisses Terror Case Against Kneecap Rapper

On Friday, September 26, 2025, Woolwich Crown Court dismissed a terrorism charge brought against Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh — known onstage as Mo Chara — marking a significant legal vindication for the Northern Irish rap trio Kneecap.

Ó hAnnaidh had faced an allegation that he publicly endorsed Hezbollah, an organization proscribed by the U.K. government. The prosecution was thrown out, however, after the judge concluded the charge had been issued improperly by the Metropolitan Police, citing a procedural flaw in the way the case was instituted. The court did not rule on guilt or innocence.

The judge said that “proceedings against the defendant were instituted unlawfully and are null.” He later added, “Mr O hAnnaidh, you are free to go,” prompting cheers from the public gallery. The dismissal followed the defense team’s contention that the indictment breached statutory time limits and other procedural safeguards.

The allegation stemmed from footage filmed at a concert at London’s Kentish Town Forum in November 2024, which appeared to show Ó hAnnaidh displaying a flag associated with Hezbollah. He had been charged in May 2025 and had been on unconditional bail since June. Media outlets reported on the case as it progressed; see Sky News for coverage of the court ruling. Sky News

In August, Ó hAnnaidh’s lawyers argued the prosecution had exceeded a six-month limitation period and urged the court to dismiss the matter on that and related grounds. Throughout the proceedings, Ó hAnnaidh denied any wrongdoing and his team described the case as politically motivated, tying it to Kneecap’s long-standing public support for Palestinians.

Reacting on social media, the group’s manager, Daniel Lambert, wrote: “We have won. Liam Óg is a free man. We said we would fight them and win. We did (Twice). Kneecap has NO charges OR convictions in ANY country, EVER. Political policing has failed.” See the post.

Kneecap rose to prominence following their 2024 breakthrough album Fine Art and an accompanying self-titled biopic, which earned critical attention, a BAFTA and an Academy Award nomination. In April 2025, their Coachella performance concluded with a controversial onstage message condemning Israel’s actions in Gaza; the statement drew demands from some public figures to remove the group from festival lineups and revoke visas.

Despite the controversy, their Glastonbury set in June proceeded without incident, though the appearance had drawn public criticism from U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who described the performance as “not appropriate.” The band has since been barred from performing in several countries, including Hungary and Canada, and canceled shows in the U.S. and the U.K. while the legal matter was unresolved.

Earlier this month, on September 18, 2025, Kneecap headlined their largest U.K. show to date at London’s Wembley Arena, where they were joined onstage by Massive Attack.

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