High Court Rejects CPS Appeal in Kneecap Rapper's Terror Case
The High Court has definitively dismissed an appeal by the Crown Prosecution Service against the decision to drop terror charges against Liam Og O hAnnaidh, the rapper known as Mo Chara from the Irish group Kneecap. Two judges upheld the earlier ruling, ensuring the musician will not face a new trial over allegations of displaying a flag supporting the proscribed terrorist organisation Hezbollah at a London gig in November 2024.
Legal Victory and Political Statement
In a statement released through his legal team following Wednesday's decision, O hAnnaidh expressed profound gratitude to his lawyers for their relentless pursuit of justice. He framed the case as a political rather than a criminal matter, asserting, "This entire process was never about me, never about any threat to the public and never about 'terrorism', a word used by the British Government to discredit people you oppress both in Ireland and across the world."
The rapper emphasised the case's connection to Palestinian solidarity, declaring, "It was always about Palestine and about what happens if you dare to speak up. About what happens if you can reach large groups of people and expose their hypocrisy. I will not be silent. Kneecap will not be silent."
Procedural Grounds for Dismissal
The original charge was dropped in September last year, but the CPS launched an appeal in January, which O hAnnaidh contested. The case collapsed on a technicality: Judge Goldspring agreed with the defence that prosecutors failed to seek the Attorney General's permission to charge the rapper within the required six-month timeframe for summary-only offences.
Lord Justice Edis, alongside Mr Justice Linden, confirmed in the ruling that the lower court had no jurisdiction to try the offence alleged to have occurred on September 21, 2025. He clarified, "The respondent has not been tried for his alleged conduct on September 21 2025 and will not be tried. He has not been convicted, and he has not been acquitted."
Band's Response and Ongoing Activism
Ahead of the verdict, Kneecap—comprising O hAnnaidh, Naoise O Caireallain, and JJ O Dochartaigh—called a press conference in West Belfast via an Instagram post in Irish, titled "Kneecap fogra" (Kneecap notice). They invited media and supporters, stating, "We have always said we would fight them in their own courts and we would win… Let's see if we have." The post concluded with the phrases "free Palestine" and "free the six counties."
This case is not the first time Kneecap has faced legal scrutiny. The provocative Belfast-formed trio, known for tracks like Get Your Brits Out and Better Way To Live, were investigated after their Glastonbury Festival set in June, though police took no further action by July. In April last year, they apologised to families of murdered MPs after footage surfaced appearing to show a member saying "Kill your local MP" and "Up Hamas, up Hezbollah" at gigs, while denying support for these groups.
Following the CPS appeal announcement, Kneecap criticised the move on social media as a "massive waste of taxpayers’ money, of police time, of court time," reiterating their commitment to fight and win in court. The band's outspoken stance continues to blend music with political activism, keeping them at the centre of debates over free speech and terrorism legislation.
