27 September 2025-Published by Cyril

A UK court has dismissed the terrorism charge against Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, popularly known as Mo Chara, a member of Irish rap group Kneecap, citing a technical error.

The 27-year-old rapper had been accused of displaying a Hezbollah flag during a London gig in November 2024. He was officially charged in May 2025, but the court found that prosecutors had failed to file the charge within the required six-month time limit.

Judge Rules Charge “Unlawful”

During the hearing at Woolwich Crown Court on Friday, Judge Paul Goldspring ruled that the case was “unlawful” and “null”, as the necessary approval from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) was not obtained in time.

The judge noted that consent from the DPP was only granted on May 22—one day after the rapper had already been charged. By then, the six-month statutory deadline had already expired.

• “These proceedings were not instituted in the correct form, lacking the necessary DPP and Attorney General’s consent within the six-month statutory time limit,” Judge Goldspring declared.

The courtroom erupted in cheers as the case was struck out.

Mo Chara Reacts: “It Was Always About Gaza”

Reacting to the ruling, Mo Chara described the entire process as politically motivated. In a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter) through Kneecap’s official account, he insisted the charge was never about terrorism but about silencing voices of solidarity with Palestine.

• “It was never about me, never about any threat to the public, and never about ‘terrorism,’ a word used by your government to discredit people you oppress. It was always about Gaza. As people from Ireland, we know oppression, colonialism, famine and genocide,” he wrote.

He further accused the British government of hypocrisy, stating:

• “If anyone on this planet is guilty of terrorism, it is the British state. Free Palestine!”

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Background of the Case

• November 2024: Mo Chara allegedly displayed a Hezbollah flag at a London gig.
• May 2025: He was charged six months after the alleged offence.
• September 2025: Court dismisses the case due to failure to meet statutory deadlines.

The dismissal is seen as a significant victory for the rapper and his supporters, many of whom have accused UK authorities of attempting to use the law to stifle political expression.

✍ Final Note

The ruling adds to the wider debate about freedom of expression, political dissent, and government accountability in the UK. For Mo Chara, however, the message remains clear: music and activism go hand-in-hand.

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