IRISH RAP GROUP Kneecap has said that an appeal being taken by British prosecutors against a court decision to strike out charges against one of its members is set to begin in two weeks’ time. 

In September of last year, a UK judge threw out a terror charge brought against Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who performs under the name Mo Chara, after the magistrate determined that the charge was brought outside to legal window.  

The Crown Prosecution Service subsequently confirmed that it would appeal this decision and Kneecap’s post today suggests that a date of 14 January has been set for that appeal. 

Kneecap said they “would not be silent” despite the appeal moving forward:

The Brits are at it again… The British government has issued us notice that they will appeal the decision of their own magistrates court to throw out the case against Mo Chara. It is the view of our legal team that there is not an iota of logic for this, it is without any sound legal basis.

It continued: “It is another flailing arm to distract from, and to try and silence those who stand on the right side of history as they are complicit. As Israel today moves to ban charitable organisations providing lifesaving aid and primitive shelter to millions, the British state once again turns to vilify those who oppose genocide.”

“It will be heard on Jan 14th at the High Court, Royal Courts of Justice, The Strand, London. We will not be silent. FREE PALESTINE”

The Israeli ban Kneecap refers to is Israel’s decision to ban the activities of 37 international NGOs operating in Gaza, including Doctors Without Borders, in a move the UN has said will exacerbate the humanitarian situation in the region.  

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Terror charge

Last year, Ó hAnnaidh was charged with allegedly displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah, a proscribed organisation, on stage during a gig in London. 

The charge was made by post on 21 May last year and related to an incident which took place in November 2024.

However, a UK judge ruled in September that the permission of the Attorney General or the Director of Public Prosecutions had not been sought until the following day, placing it outside the six-month window to bring the charge. 

The charge was therefore deemed to be “unlawful” and was thrown out.