The charge against Kneecap’s Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh has been thrown out. 

The Belfast rapper, also known as Mo Chara, has appeared before Woolwich Magistrates' Court, charged with a terror offence, after he allegedly displayed the flag of Hezbollah at a gig in London last November. 

In 2019, Hezbollah was designated a terrorist group in the United Kingdom and support for the organisation can carry a 10 year prison term. 

Ahead of the hearing, Newstalk reporter Emily Keegan said Mr Ó hAnnaidh’s lawyers planned to argue that Britain’s Crown Prosecution has no right to bring a case against him, having waited more than six months after the alleged offence took place. 

 “He’s appeared in London courts twice already,” she explained to Newstalk Breakfast.  

“So, today the judge is going to hand down his judgement on whether or not the court here has the jurisdiction to hear this case. 

“So, really it’s a matter or not of whether this charge will be thrown out.” 

Kneecap supporters in London. Picture by: Newstalk.

Much like at his previous court appearances, a large crowd of Kneecap fans appeared to support Mr Ó hAnnaidh, waving Irish and Palestinian flags. 

“There is always the chance that it could go to trial,” Ms Keegan predicted ahead of the hearing. 

“His defence team is arguing that the way the charge was brought against him, that there was a technical error within that.

“They’re arguing that this charge was brought against him outside of the six month window in which this court would be able to hear it. 

“The alleged incident occurred on 20th November 2024 but he was charged on 21st May this year. 

“So, it brings it just outside of that six month limit.” 

Kneecap  labelled the trail a “carnival of distraction” and vowed, “We said we would beat them in their court. And we will. Free Palestine.”

Main image: Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh outside Westminster Magistrates' Court London. Picture by: AP Photo/Kin Cheung.