Mo Chara Terror Charge Appeal Rejected by UK High Court

Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, the Belfast-born rapper known as Mo Chara and a founding member of the hip-hop group Kneecap, will not face a new trial following the rejection of the UK government’s appeal against the dismissal of a terrorism-related charge. The High Court in London upheld a previous decision to throw out the case, citing a legal timing issue.

Background of the Case

Mo Chara was initially charged in May 2025 with allegedly displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah, a proscribed organization in the United Kingdom, during a performance at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, London, in November 2024. The BBC and Wikipedia both report on the details of the case.

Dismissal and Appeal

The initial case was dismissed in September 2025 by Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring, who ruled that the charge was “unlawful” and that the court lacked jurisdiction. Prosecutors subsequently appealed this decision, arguing that the dismissal was incorrect. However, on Wednesday, judges at the High Court rejected the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) appeal.

High Court Ruling

Lord Justice Edis and Mr Justice Linden, in their ruling, agreed with the chief magistrate’s assessment that proceedings had been initiated outside the legally mandated six-month timeframe. The judgment emphasized that the decision hinged on a “very narrow and technical legal issue” and was not related to whether Ó hAnnaidh committed the alleged offense. According to the BBC, the judges stated 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”.

Mo Chara’s Response

Following the ruling, Mo Chara released a statement through his lawyers, asserting that the case was never about terrorism or a threat to public safety. He characterized it as an attempt by the British government to discredit individuals who speak out against oppression, particularly concerning Palestine. Speaking at a press conference in Belfast, he stated the band had “lost gigs” and been “restricted” as a result of the proceedings, but would continue to use their platform to discuss Palestine without fear of repercussions.

CPS Response

A CPS spokesperson acknowledged the High Court’s decision and stated that the agency would update its processes to reflect the clarification of the law regarding the issuing of written charges in summary offenses requiring attorney general permission. The BBC reports the CPS will “update our processes accordingly.”

Legal Technicality

The legal issue centered on the timing of attorney general’s permission for the prosecution. Prosecutors sought permission after charging Ó hAnnaidh, which was deemed to be outside the six-month legal limit for bringing charges for this type of offense.

Kneecap and Mo Chara’s Career

Mo Chara is a rapper, actor, and activist who co-founded Kneecap in 2017 with Naoise Ó Cairealláin (Móglaí Bap) and JJ Ó Dochartaigh (DJ Próvaí). The group is known for rapping in both Irish and English, their politically charged lyrics, and their support for the Irish language. They have had several songs chart in Ireland and recently starred in the film Kneecap, an Irish/English-language film about their rise to prominence, alongside actors like Michael Fassbender. Wikipedia details the group’s history and accomplishments.