Kneecap Rapper Cleared of Terrorism Charge After High Court Upholds Dismissal
Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, the rapper from the controversial Irish group Kneecap, will not face trial on terrorism charges after the High Court in London rejected an appeal by the Crown Prosecution Service. The court upheld a previous decision to throw out the case due to a critical procedural error in how the charge was filed.
Legal Technicality Ends Prosecution Attempt
The 28-year-old performer, known professionally as Mo Chara, had been charged with displaying a Hezbollah flag during a concert at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, north London, in November 2024. Hezbollah is a proscribed terrorist organization under UK law.
Last September, Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring dismissed the case because prosecutors failed to obtain proper consent from both the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Attorney General within the required six-month statutory timeframe. On Wednesday, two High Court judges – Lord Justice Edis and Mr Justice Linden – confirmed this decision, ruling the original charge was unlawful.
Judges Cite Filing Deadline Missed
In their written judgment, the judges explained that the first written charge was issued on May 21, 2025, which marked when proceedings were officially instituted under the Terrorism Act 2000. However, this filing was invalid because it lacked the necessary consents required by section 117 of the Act.
"It follows that no written charge was issued within 6 months of September 21, 2025," wrote Lord Justice Edis. "The judge was right to hold that he had no jurisdiction to try any summary only offence alleged to have been committed on that date."
The judges noted with concern that a charge which both the DPP and Attorney General believed met prosecution standards would never be determined. They emphasized they were not investigating why this failure occurred, as those circumstances were irrelevant to their legal decision.
Defense Argument Prevails
Ó hAnnaidh's defense team, led by Brenda Campbell KC, successfully argued that Attorney General Richard Hermer had not given permission for the case to proceed when police informed the rapper he would face terrorism charges in May 2025. The judges ultimately dismissed the CPS appeal against the original dismissal.
"The respondent has not been tried for his alleged conduct and will not be tried," the judgment stated. "He has not been convicted, and he has not been acquitted."
Kneecap's Provocative Stance
Kneecap has gained notoriety for their politically charged lyrics, merchandise, and outspoken positions. The group champions the Irish language and has been vocal in their criticism of UK government policy regarding Gaza, frequently expressing pro-Palestine views in their music.
Following the court decision, the group posted on Instagram: "Get in!!!!!! Kneecap: 3 Brit Govt: 0. The worlds biggest terrorists are the leaders of the British state. Free Palestine. Free the 6 counties."
CPS Accepts Judgment
A Crown Prosecution Service spokesperson responded to the ruling: "The high court has clarified how the law applies to the issuing of written charges in summary offences where attorney general permission was required for the director of public prosecutions to consent to a prosecution. We accept the judgment and will update our processes accordingly."
The case highlights the technical requirements of terrorism prosecutions in the UK and demonstrates how procedural errors can derail even serious charges that prosecutors believe have merit. For Ó hAnnaidh and Kneecap, the decision represents a significant legal victory that prevents what could have been a lengthy and high-profile terrorism trial.
