Kneecap rapper's terror case thrown out

The terrorism case against Kneecap rapper Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh has been thrown out following a technical error in the way the charge against him was brought.

He was charged in May after allegedly displaying a flag in support of proscribed organisation Hezbollah at a gig at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, London, in November 2024.

The 27-year-old, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, denied the charge and has described it as political.

Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring told Woolwich Crown Court that the charge against Mr Ó hAnnaidh was "unlawful" and "null".

Mr Ó hAnnaidh's defence had argued that the charge was not brought within the six-month time limit.

In his judgement the chief magistrate outlined that permission was not given to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to consent to the prosecution until 22 May, a day after Mr Ó hAnnaidh was charged.

If 22 May was considered to the be the date of the charge, that was six months and a day after London gig where the offence allegedly happened.

The police failed to ask the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in time to charge him.

Outlining the reasons for his decision, the chief magistrate said: "I find that these proceedings were not instituted in the correct form, lacking the necessary DPP and AG (Attorney General) consent within the six-month statutory time limit."

He said the court had "no jurisdiction to try the charge".

The court erupted into applause as the ruling was handed down.

Jude Bunting KC told the court: "This case was every bit unjustified as it was flawed".

As Mr Ó hAnnaidh left the court, his parents hugged him and said they were "delighted" it was over.

Outside the court, Mr Ó hAnnaidh said: "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."

The CPS said it was "reviewing the decision of the court carefully".

It pointed out that the decision could be appealed against.

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: "We are aware of the decision by the court in relation to this case.

"We will work with the CPS to understand the potential implications of this ruling for us and how that might impact on the processing of such cases in the future."

Kneecap are an Irish-speaking rap trio who have courted controversy with their provocative lyrics and merchandise.

The group was formed in 2017 by three musicians who go by the stage names of Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí.

Their rise to fame inspired a semi-fictionalised film starring Oscar-nominated actor Michael Fassbender.

The film won a British Academy of Film Award (Bafta) in February 2025.

In April, the group faced criticism after displaying messages about the war in Gaza during their set at US music festival Coachella.

In November 2024, the group won its case against the UK government over a decision Kemi Badenoch took when she was a minister to withdraw an arts grant.