Belfast rapper Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, known as Mo Chara, will not face a new terror trial after the UK High Court dismissed an appeal by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) on Wednesday, March 11, 2026. The case stemmed from allegations that Ó hAnnaidh displayed a flag in support of Hezbollah at a London concert in November 2024, a proscribed terrorist organization under UK law. The ruling marks a significant development in a case that has drawn attention to issues of free speech, political expression and the application of terrorism legislation.
The initial case against the Kneecap member was dismissed last September by Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring, who ruled the proceedings were “instituted unlawfully.” The CPS appealed this decision in January, arguing the dismissal was incorrect. However, Lord Justice Edis and Mr Justice Linden upheld Goldspring’s ruling, finding that the judge was correct to assert he lacked jurisdiction to endeavor the case. The legal challenge centered on a technicality regarding the timing of the Attorney General’s permission to bring the charge, falling outside the six-month timeframe for prosecution.
According to reporting from Sky News, the High Court’s 13-page decision emphasized that the ruling “turned on a very narrow and technical legal issue and has nothing to do with whether the respondent committed the offence set out in the charge.” This clarification underscores that the dismissal was based on procedural grounds, not an assessment of the alleged offense itself.
Ó hAnnaidh released a statement through his lawyers, asserting the case 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.” He continued, stating the case 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.” This statement highlights the artist’s view that the prosecution was politically motivated and aimed at silencing his pro-Palestinian views.
The incident began with a performance at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, north London, on November 21, 2024, as reported by The Irish Examiner. The CPS alleged that Ó hAnnaidh displayed a flag supporting Hezbollah during the concert. The initial charge was brought in May 2025, but the subsequent legal challenges focused on the procedural aspects of the prosecution.
The ruling has been met with support from within the Irish music community and among those advocating for freedom of expression. LBC reported that hundreds of supporters gathered at Westminster Magistrates’ Court last June in support of the artist. The legal battle has raised questions about the boundaries of permissible political expression and the potential for overreach in the application of terrorism laws.
The technicality that led to the dismissal involved the timing of the Attorney General’s consent. Prosecutors sought and received permission to charge Ó hAnnaidh the day after informing him of the charges on May 21, 2025. The court determined this timing fell outside the legally mandated six-month window for bringing criminal charges.
While the legal proceedings have concluded, the broader issues raised by the case – concerning freedom of speech, political expression, and the use of terrorism legislation – are likely to continue to be debated. The incident underscores the complexities of balancing national security concerns with the protection of fundamental rights. The artist’s supporters view the outcome as a victory against attempts to stifle dissent and silence voices critical of government policies.
What comes next remains to be seen, but the focus will likely shift to ongoing discussions about the appropriate scope of terrorism laws and the potential for their misuse. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of due process and the necessitate for careful consideration of the legal and political implications of prosecuting individuals for expressing controversial views.
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