Kneecap's Mo Chara says labelling the group as antisemitic 'waters that term down'

The group were interviewed by UK magazine Big Issue.

KNEECAP RAPPER LIAM Óg Ó hAnnaidh has said that labelling the group as antisemitic means people “water that term down”.

The group were interviewed by UK magazine Big Issue after a UK court ruled the rapper, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, will not face a terror trial after being accused of displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah at a gig.

The rapper said that antisemitism is a “real issue” and is “terrible” but firmly rejected claims that the group is antisemitic.

Ó hAnnaidh told the magazine: “When you start labelling bands and people who speak out against Israel as antisemitic, what you do is water that term down.

“We are not antisemitic.”

Band member Naoise Ó Cairealláin – better known as Móglaí Bap – said the group knows about “religious conflicts” as they’re from the North, including “people using religion as a way to murder, maim and all this stuff”.

Ó Cairealláin added: “We have gone through that as a country and we want nothing to do with it.”

Ó hAnnaidh also said it was “impossible” to remember everything that happens during a performance.

“When you’re playing a gig it’s impossible to be perfectly conscious all the time. I don’t remember all – and that’s not just from drink, that’s pure adrenaline,” he told the magazine.

Graffiti artist 10Foot has created new artwork of Kneecap for the magazine which will feature on its cover.

featureimage Graffiti artist 10Foot has created new artwork featuring Kneecap which will feature on the cover of Big Issue. Big Issue / PA Big Issue / PA / PA

He has also contributed an exclusive print, which will come free with each magazine sold.