Kneecap's Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, known by his stage name Mo Chara, appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court shortly after ten o'clock this morning.
The 27-year-old rapper, his bandmates Naoise Ó Cairealláin and JJ Ó Dochartaigh, and their manager Daniel Lambert, arrived at the court in Central London to hundreds of supporters waving Irish and Palestinian flags, as well as signs which stated: 'Free Mo Chara.'
Fans sang Irish folk songs, chanted "Free Palestine", and cheered as an ad van drove past with the slogan, "More Blacks, More Dogs, More Irish, Mo Chara."
It's alleged Mr. Ó hAnnaidh displayed a flag in support of Hezbollah at their O2 Forum show on the 21st of November, 2024, and he was charged with a terror offence on May 22nd, 2025.
The court has been adjourned until the 20th of August, when it will hear arguments over its jurisdiction in the case, but there are concerns the trial may not be allowed to proceed in this court, because the charge was issued over six months after the incident.
Mr. Ó hAnnaidh was released on unconditional bail until then, and a request was made for an Irish interpreter.
He denies the allegations, has described them as "political", adding they're intended to "silence" the group, while the group itself has said it will "vehemently" defend itself.
Kneecap has been vocal in its support for the Palestinian cause since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7th, 2023, and Israel's subsequent retaliation and offensive in Gaza.
The trio have faced criticism and cancelled gigs after displaying messages about the war in Gaza during their set at US music festival Coachella, with the group saying the charges against Mo Chara are a "carnival of distraction" from what is happening in Gaza.
The group plays Dublin's Fairview Park tomorrow night (Thursday, June 19th).
