The Metropolitan Police has revealed that one of the members of the rap group Kneecap has been charged with a terror offence.
Under the stage name Mo Chara, Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, 27, has been charged with supporting Hezbollah by flying a banner during a performance at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, north-west London, on November 21 of last year, according to the force.
Ó hAnnaidh, who was charged by postal requisition under the name Liam O'Hanna, is scheduled to appear in Westminster Magistrates' Court on June 18, according to the Metropolitan Police Department.
The announcement was made just days before the trio was scheduled to play as the main act at the London music event Wide Awake, which will be held on Sunday in Brockwell Park.
The Standard has contacted Brockwell Live, the festival's organiser, to find out if the band will continue to play after the charge.
In April, a video of the hip-hop trio Kneecap allegedly calling for the death of British MPs had sparked renewed criticism of the group.
The footage, recorded at a concert in November 2023, appeared to show one member saying: “The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.”
Kneecap have since apologised for the comment, but the Belfast-based band remain under intense scrutiny as Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch called for prosecution.
Other politicians have also called for Glastonbury to ban the group from performing this summer.
So, who are Kneecap, and why are they so controversial?
Who are Kneecap?
Kneecap are an Irish rap trio hailing from west Belfast, formed in 2017. The group’s name comes from “kneecapping,” a practice by paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland, where individuals accused of criminal or anti-social behaviour were shot in the legs as punishment.
Known for their politically charged lyrics and provocative stunts, Kneecap’s music often addresses sensitive social and political issues, particularly those related to Northern Ireland's troubled history. Their debut single, C.E.A.R.T.A )"cearta" means "rights" in Irish), set the tone for their unique blend of rap in Irish, combining both cultural pride and activism.
The group consists of three members: Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap, and DJ Próvaí.
Mo Chara (Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh)
Chara is a 26-year-old from west Belfast.
Móglaí Bap (Naoise Ó Cairealláin)
Bap is a 30-year-old from west Belfast. His dad, Gearóid Ó Cairealláin, an Irish language campaigner, died last year.
DJ Próvaí (JJ Ó Dochartaigh)
Próvaí is a 34-year-old from Derry. He’s often photographed wearing an Irish flag balaclava.
Why have they caused controversy?
Kneecap are no stranger to controversy. The group were banned by Raidió Teilifís Éireann, an Irish public service broadcaster, for drug references and inflammatory comments about the Police Service of Northern Ireland. They were also kicked out of their own Dublin gig in 2019 for their inflammatory chants.
But in April, the rap trio have faced heightened criticism. A video circulated from a November 2023 concert, in which a band member appeared to say: “The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.”
Labour MP Jo Cox was stabbed and shot in 2016, while Conservative Sir David Amess was stabbed to death in 2021. Sir David’s daughter Katie said she was “gobsmacked” by the group’s “dangerous, violent rhetoric.”
Kneecap have since apologised to the families of two murdered MPs. They said on X (formerly Twitter) that they “reject any suggestion that we would seek to incite violence against any MP or individual”. They added that the footage had been deliberately taken out of context and was being “exploited and weaponised”.
They added: “To the Amess and Cox families, we send our heartfelt apologies, we never intended to cause you hurt.
“Kneecap’s message has always been — and remains — one of love, inclusion, and hope. This is why our music resonates across generations, countries, classes and cultures and has brought hundreds of thousands of people to our gigs. No smear campaign will change that.”
KNEECAP STATEMENT:
— KNEECAP (@KNEECAPCEOL) April 28, 2025
They want you to believe words are more harmful than genocide.
Establishment figures, desperate to silence us, have combed through hundreds of hours of footage and interviews, extracting a handful of words from months or years ago to manufacture moral… pic.twitter.com/qZht5532Zf
Kneecap have previously received arts funding from the Government. However, a spokesperson for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the group’s comments as "completely unacceptable" and that he did not think "individuals expressing those views should be receiving government funding.”
The band said it was facing a targeted smear campaign after being outspoken about the conflict in Gaza.
What have they said about Hamas and Israel?
At last month’s Coachella music festival, Kneecap’s performance featured bold on-screen projections including: “Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people,” “It is being enabled by the US government who arm and fund Israel despite their war crimes,” and “F*** Israel. Free Palestine.”
The group’s Coachella appearance drew criticism from some public figures, including Sharon Osbourne, who called for their US work visas to be revoked. Shortly after, Kneecap were dropped by their visa sponsor and are now seeking a new one before their sold-out North American tour scheduled for October.
Controversy was reignited following a resurfaced video from a November 2024 concert, in which a band member appeared to shout: “Up Hamas, up Hezbollah” — two groups designated as terrorist organisations by the UK Government.
In response, Kneecap previously issued a public statement denying any support for either group. “Let us be unequivocal: We do not, and have never, supported Hamas or Hezbollah. We condemn all attacks on civilians, always. It is never okay. We know this more than anyone, given our nation's history.”
According to the Met, Belfast resident Ó hAnnaidh has been charged with terror offence by postal requisition under the name Liam O'Hanna and is scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on June 18.
The charge was authorised by the Crown Prosecution Service following an investigation.
The charge has been announced days before the trio are scheduled to play as the main act at the London music event Wide Awake, which will be held on Sunday in Brockwell Park.
