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COPS have turned up at Kneecap’s surprise gig in London just hours after rapper Liam O’Hanna, 27, was charged with a terror offence.
Officers were seen entering the 100 Club on Oxford Street, central London, where rap trio Kneecap had announced a surprise gig for Thursday night.
At least three cops were seen walking into the venue at around 7.35pm.
A short queue formed outside the venue before the doors opened, including one man in a band T-shirt.
The band said on X that the event sold out in 90 seconds, with 2,000 people on the waiting list.
The Metropolitan Police said a “policing plan” is in place for the Kneecap gig at the 100 Club in central London.
A spokesman said: “A policing plan is in place around tonight’s event to ensure it passes off safely.
“This is primarily in terms of managing visitors to the venue for what we understand is a spontaneous and sold-out event.
“There have been no issues or arrests.”
It comes after rapper Liam O’Hanna, 27 — a member of Kneecap — was charged with a terror offence for allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag.
The incident unfolded on November 21 last year at the O2 Forum, in Kentish Town, London.
Officers from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command launched an urgent probe after being made aware on April 22.
An investigation was carried out after reviewing video footage from the event.
O’Hanna, who performs under the name Mo Chara, was later charged with an offence relating to section 13(1)(b) and (3) of the Terrorism Act 2000.
Hezbollah is a proscribed terror organisation, and it is a criminal offence to “invite support” for the group.
The rapper is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on June 18.
Earlier this month, the Met said it was investigating online videos allegedly showing the group shouting “up Hamas, up Hezbollah”.
Kneecap said previously they have never supported Hamas or Hezbollah and would not incite violence against any individual.
They argue the video has been taken out of context.
A number of gigs featuring the band have been called off.
A Met Police spokesperson said: “A man has been charged with a terrorism offence following an investigation by the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command.
“Liam O’Hanna, 27, of Belfast has been charged, via postal requisition, with displaying a flag in support of Hezballah, a proscribed organisation.
“On 21 November 2024, in a public place, namely the O2 Forum, Kentish Town, London, displayed an article, namely a flag, in such a way or in such circumstances as to arouse reasonable suspicion that he is a supporter of a proscribed organisation, namely Hezballah, contrary to section 13(1)(b) and (3) of the Terrorism Act 2000.
“Officers from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command were made aware on Tuesday, 22 April of an online video from the event.
“An investigation was carried out, which led to the Crown Prosecution Service authorising the above charge.
“O’Hanna is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 18 June.”
Who are Kneecap?
Kneecap are an Irish hip hop trio from Belfast, Northern Ireland, composed of Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, Naoise Ó Cairealláin and J. J. Ó Dochartaigh.
Their stage names are Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí, respectively.
They rap in a mixture of English and Irish and their first single C.E.A.R.T.A., cearta meaning rights in Irish, was released in 2017.
Their debut studio album 3CAG followed in 2018., while their second Fine Art was released in 2024.
The group also had a biographical film made about them the same year.
It won a British Academy of Film Award (Bafta) in February 2025.
The Guardian described Kneecap as “the most controversial band in the UK” earlier this year.
In April, the group faced backlash after sharing messages about the war in Gaza during their set at Coachella.
They were dropped by their sponsor and booking agent Independent Artist Group (IAG).
Footage emerged from their gigs have also investigation by counter-terrorism officers.
