The terrorism charge against Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, a member of the Irish-speaking rap group Kneecap known by his stage name Mo Chara, has been dismissed by a UK court, ending months of legal wrangling that drew international attention and ignited fierce debate over free speech, activism, and the boundaries of political protest. The case, which began after Ó hAnnaidh was accused of displaying a Hezbollah flag during a November 2024 concert in London, was thrown out on September 26, 2025, after a technical error in the prosecution’s procedure rendered the charge unlawful and null.
Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring, presiding at Woolwich Crown Court, made it clear in his ruling that the proceedings were fatally flawed. "I find that these proceedings were not instituted in the correct form, lacking the necessary DPP (Director of Public Prosecutions) and AG (Attorney General) consent within the six-month statutory time limit. The time limit requires consent to have been granted at the time or before the issue of the requisition. Consequently, the charge is unlawful and null and this court has no jurisdiction to try the charge," Goldspring stated, according to BBC and The Independent.
The courtroom erupted in applause as the decision was handed down, with Ó hAnnaidh’s parents embracing him in relief. The judge, however, quickly restored order, reminding those present, "You can do your celebrating outside, but the court now has other business to attend to," as reported by Sky News.
The case had been moved to Woolwich from Westminster Magistrates’ Court at the last minute due to a burst water main, a detail that did little to dampen the charged atmosphere surrounding the proceedings. Legal arguments about the timing of the prosecution had been heard as early as August 20, 2025, with Ó hAnnaidh’s lawyer, Brenda Campbell KC, successfully arguing that the Attorney General’s consent for the case was given a day too late—outside the statutory six-month window required for such charges.
Ó hAnnaidh, who had denied any wrongdoing from the outset, maintained that the charge was politically motivated. Outside the court, he addressed a crowd of supporters, many waving Palestinian flags and chanting slogans. "This entire process was never about me. It was never about any threat to the public, it was never about terrorism – a word used by your government to discredit people you oppress. It was always about Gaza, about what happens if you dare to speak up. Your attempts to silence us have failed because we’re right and you’re wrong," he declared, as quoted by BBC and Sky News.
His words struck a chord with many in attendance and echoed Kneecap’s longstanding activism on behalf of Palestinian rights. The group, formed in 2017 by Ó hAnnaidh, Móglaí Bap, and DJ Próvaí, has become known for its provocative lyrics and outspoken political stances, often courting controversy both in Ireland and abroad. Their activism reached a global audience earlier in 2025 when they criticized Israel’s actions in Gaza during their set at the Coachella music festival, prompting both support and backlash—including calls from Sharon Osbourne for the group’s U.S. visas to be revoked for alleged hate speech, a demand Kneecap dismissed as missing the real issue.
Kneecap’s manager, Daniel Lambert, celebrated the court’s decision on social media, writing, "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. Kneecap is on the right side of history. Britain is not. Free Palestine." The group also posted, "We are not the story, genocide is," emphasizing their view that the legal proceedings were a distraction from the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
The political dimensions of the case were underscored by Northern Ireland’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill, who welcomed the ruling and condemned the charges as an attempt to stifle dissent. "These charges were part of a calculated attempt to silence those who stand up and speak out against the Israeli genocide in Gaza. Kneecap have used their platform on stages across the world to expose this genocide, and it is the responsibility of all of us to continue speaking out and standing against injustice in Palestine," she posted on X (formerly Twitter), as reported by The Independent and Sky News.
The legal intricacies at the heart of the case revolved around the UK’s terrorism legislation, which makes it a crime to express support for proscribed organizations such as Hezbollah. Prosecutors argued that the necessary consents could be obtained after the charge was issued, but Chief Magistrate Goldspring dismissed this logic, stating that such arguments "defy logic" and reiterating that the law’s requirements were clear and binding. The Metropolitan Police, who initiated the investigation after reviewing video footage from the November 2024 concert, acknowledged the court’s decision and indicated they would work with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to assess the implications for future cases of a similar nature.
The CPS itself has said it is "reviewing the decision of the court carefully" and noted that an appeal remains possible. The outcome of this review could have broader ramifications for how terrorism-related charges are brought and prosecuted in the UK, especially in cases where political activism and free expression intersect with national security concerns.
For Kneecap, the court victory marks another chapter in a tumultuous year. The group’s rise from the Belfast music scene to international prominence has been marked by both artistic and political milestones. Their semi-fictionalized film, Kneecap, starring Oscar-nominated actor Michael Fassbender, won a BAFTA award in February 2025, further cementing their status as cultural provocateurs. Yet, the group’s activism has often invited controversy, with critics accusing them of crossing lines and supporters hailing them as fearless voices for justice.
At their Glastonbury performance in June 2025, Kneecap addressed the charges directly, leading chants critical of UK political leaders and highlighting what they described as "miscarriages of justice for Irish people in the British justice system." The group has consistently denied any support for Hamas or Hezbollah, insisting that video footage from the London concert was "deliberately taken out of all context" in a "coordinated smear campaign" against their criticism of Israel.
As the dust settles on the legal battle, the questions it raised about the limits of protest, the reach of anti-terror laws, and the role of artists in political debate remain unresolved. For now, Ó hAnnaidh and Kneecap are free to continue their work—undaunted, unbowed, and as controversial as ever.