Kneecap break their silence with lengthy statement as Liam O’Hanna charged with terrorism
Kneecap have released a statement following the news that band member Liam O’Hanna has been charged by the Metropolitan Police with a terrorism offence
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Kneecap discusses their views on Palestine
Irish rap trio Kneecap have issued a statement following news that Liam O’Hanna had been charged with a terrorism offence relating to displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah at a gig in London last November. The star, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, has been charged for his actions, the Metropolitan Police said.
The Met Police said the 27-year-old band member from Belfast has been charged following an investigation by its counter terrorism command. He is scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on June 18.
Liam was charged with displaying a flag at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, North London, on November 21, “in such a way or in such circumstances as to arouse reasonable suspicion that he is a supporter of a proscribed organisation”, it said.
Liam O’Hanna has been charged with a terrorism offence relating to displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah (Image:
Getty Images for Tribeca Festiva)
In a post on X the band, which consists of fellow members Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaig, shared a video of Liam speaking in an RTE clip. They said: “Recorded in January and just aired on RTE tv now.”
They then quoted what Liam said in the video: “I don’t want to be 80, 90 years of age and my grandkids asking me about the Palestinian genocide? Me sitting there being like f**k, I didn’t do enough. I don’t wanna be on that side of history. If it comes down to awards or breaking America by sacrifice what you believe in, then America can go f**k itself.”
The band added: “We are clearer than ever on who we are and what we stand for. We will have a short statement soon. FREE PALESTINE.”
Previously, the rap trio had seen gigs including a performance at the Eden Project in Cornwall on July 4 cancelled after historic concert footage appeared to show a member of the group shouting “up Hamas, up Hezbollah”, and another video allegedly showing one calling for Conservative MPs to be killed.
The group has faced an investigation by counter-terrorism police after the videos, filmed in 2023 and 2024, became public.
Kneecap have apologised to the families of murdered MPs, but claimed footage of the incident had been “exploited and weaponised”, while they also said they have “never supported” Hamas or Hezbollah, which are both banned organisations in the UK.
The trio added: “To the Amess and Cox families, we send our heartfelt apologies, we never intended to cause you hurt.”
Campaign Against Antisemitism, which reported Kneecap to counter-terrorism police, posted on X: “We are pleased to see the police have acted swiftly. Hamas and Hizballah are both proscribed terrorist organisations in the UK. The law must be enforced.”
Paul Maskey, the Sinn Fein MP for West Belfast, described the move as “outrageous” in a post on X.
He wrote: “Genocide is unfolding before our eyes. Babies in Gaza are being starved to death. Whole families are slaughtered by a genocidal, out-of-control Israeli regime. Yet it’s Kneecap, who are using their voice to expose this genocide, who face charges by British police. Outrageous!”
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