Kneecap rapper Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh has had his terror charge dismissed on a technicality over the way it was brought.

Mr Ó hAnnaidh, 27, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, was accused of displaying a flag in support of the terrorist group Hezbollah at a gig in November last year.

He was charged with a terrorism offence following the alleged incident during the concert at the O2 Forum Kentish Town ‘in such a way or in such a circumstance as to arouse reasonable suspicion that he is a supporter of a proscribed organisation’.

His defence lawyers argued that the terror charge should be thrown out because the Attorney General, Richard Hermer, did not officially grant formal approval before police charged Mr Ó hAnnaidh with a terrorism-related offence on May 21.

Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring ruled that the proceedings were ‘invalid’ and ‘unlawful’ as the charging decision was made by the CPS before the correct permissions had been sought.

There were cheers at Woolwich Crown Court as the case, which focussed on a video which allegedly also saw the rapper chant ‘up Hamas, up Hezbollah’, was dismissed.

In his judgment, Mr Goldspring said: ‘These proceedings were instituted unlawfully and are null.’ 

The senior district judge added that the CPS, funded by the taxpayer, should have to pay for Mr Ó hAnnaidh’s legal costs because proceedings were unlawful.

Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, was accused of displaying a flag in support of the terrorist group Hezbollah at a gig in November last year

Videos emerged of a Kneecap gig at the O2 Forum Kentish Town in London in November 2024 where one of the band members allegedly shouted ‘up Hamas, up Hezbollah’, and was draped in a flag said to be in support of Hezbollah

He was charged with a terrorism offence following the alleged incident during the concert at the O2 Forum Kentish Town

The court heard that Scotland Yard sought a charging decision on May 20.

The CPS instructed police to charge Mr Ó hAnnaidh the next day, but prosecutors failed to seek permission from the Attorney General beforehand.

Lawyers for the rapper argued at a previous hearing that the Attorney General’s permission was instead given the day after, one day outside of a six-month deadline to bring about a criminal charge.

Mr Ó hAnnaidh arrived at court with his lawyer and fellow bandmates wearing a balaclava in the style of the Irish flag and sunglasses.

Dozens of supporters gathered outside the court in anticipation of today’s hearing.

Concluding the reasons for his decision, Mr Goldspring said: ‘I find that these proceedings were not instituted in the correct form, lacking the necessary DPP and AG consent within the six-month statutory time limit set by section 127.

‘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.’

After the verdict was given, there was loud clapping and cheering in the public gallery as the judge said: ‘Mr Ó hAnnaidh, you are free to go.

The chief magistrate told them: ‘You can do your celebrating outside, but the court now has other business to attend to.’

The Crown Prosecution Service said it was ‘reviewing the decision of the court carefully’. It pointed out that the decision could be appealed against. 

Liam Og Ó hAnnaidh is seen gesturing to his supporters as he arrived at Woolwich Crown Court on Friday

A judge ruled today that the proceedings against the rapper were ‘instituted unlawfully’

Police officers walk outside Woolwich Crown Court ahead of the hearing

Kneecap have shared pictures online of them reading a book about Hezbollah, which is a proscribed terrorist organisation in the UK

Both of the rapper’s parents were in court to support him and there was a visible police presence around the venue.

Throughout the legal process, Mr Ó hAnnaidh has been assisted in court by an Irish translator.

Posting on X after the verdict, he released a statement thanking his legal team and interpreter.

He continued: ‘This entire process 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. About what happens if you dare to speak up. As people from Ireland we know oppression, colonialism, famine and genocide. 

‘We have suffered and still suffer under “your empire”. Your attempts to silence us have failed, because we are right, and you are wrong. We will not be silent. 

‘We said we would fight you in your court and we would win. We have. If anyone on this planet is guilty of terrorism, it is the British state. Free Palestine!’

Northern Ireland’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill quickly welcomed the verdict.

‘All charges have been dropped against Kneecap’s Mo Chara. I strongly welcome this decision,’ she posted on X.

‘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.’

The group’s manager, Daniel Lambert, wrote on X: ‘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.’

Kneecap was the subject of further controversy in April after video footage emerged of one of its members telling an audience to ‘kill your local MP’ during a gig in November 2023.

The group is made up of Naoise O Caireallain, Liam Og O hAnnaidh and JJ O’Dochartaigh. 

They told the crowd: ‘We’re still under British occupation in Ireland.

‘We still have old men in London making decisions that affect my life in Ireland. And even worse, they’re f***ing Tories.

‘The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.’

In a post on social media before the judgment was handed down, the group said: ‘Today the carnival of distraction continues at Woolwich Crown Court, 10am. We will see you all you Fenians there. 

‘We said we would beat them in their court. And we will. Free Palestine.’

The group have been outspoken in their support of Palestinians amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which has seen more than 65,000 people killed by Israeli forces. 

Mr Ó hAnnaidh’s hearing had been due to take place at Westminster Crown Court, but was moved at the last minute.

On Thursday Westminster Magistrates’ Court had to close after a burst water pipe nearby left the venue without water. 

Kneecap told their supporters in an Instagram post last night: ‘There’s a wee bit of flood around Westminster Magistrates court so tomorrow’s hearing has been moved down to Woolwich Crown Court instead.

‘Same time. Same craic. Different Venue.’