Kneecap’s Mo Chara Faces Terror Charge Amid Protests London,Dublin

Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, known as Mo Chara from the Irish language rap group Kneecap, is scheduled to appear again at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London on charges of displaying a Hezbollah flag, a proscribed terror organisation, at a London gig last November. His upcoming court appearance will focus on a legal argument regarding whether a full trial should proceed, with his defense contending that the charge was brought outside the six-month statutory limit. Demonstrations supporting Ó hAnnaidh have been organised both in London and Dublin, but the Metropolitan Police has imposed Public Order Act conditions restricting protest locations to prevent serious disruptions. Kneecap has criticized these police measures as politically motivated and a distraction from other issues, urging supporters to comply with restrictions despite describing them as pitiful. At a previous court appearance, the defendant received a warm, festival-like welcome from fans, while denying any wrongdoing. The outcome of the legal argument could result in the charges being dropped without a plea or trial if the judge agrees with the defense.