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Irish rap trio Kneecap issue lengthy statement as Liam O’Hanna charged with terrorism offence Irish rap trio Kneecap have broken their silence with a post on social media following band
member Liam O'Hanna, AKA Mo Chara, was charged with a terrorism offenceShowbizAlexandra Snow22:38, 21 May 2025Updated 22:40, 21 May 2025O'Hanna (right) was charged by postal
requisition(Image: Getty Images for BFI) Film stars and Irish rap trio Kneecap have spoken out after one of their members was charged with a terrorism offence.
Liam O'Hanna, whose stage name is 'Mo Chara', was charged with displaying a flag in support of terrorist group Hezbollah. Counter terror police assessed a clip reported to be from a Kneecap
concert at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, London from November.
O'Hanna, or Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, is set to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on June 18. He was charged with displaying a flag at the north London gig on 21 November, "in such a way or
in such circumstances as to arouse reasonable suspicion that he is a supporter of a proscribed organisation".
In their statement, the band said: "We are clearer than ever on who we are and what we stand for."(Image: Anadolu via Getty Images) In a post on X the band, which consists of fellow members
Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaig, shared a video from an RTE clip. They said: "Recorded in January and just aired on RTE tv now.
"'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.
Article continues below "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.'
"We are clearer than ever on who we are and what we stand for. We will have a short statement soon. FREE PALESTINE."
Last month the Irish rap outfit were dropped from their slated appearance at the Eden Project's illustrious Eden Sessions music extravaganza this July amid a swirling controversy.
A representative for the summer event said: "Eden Sessions Limited announced today that the Kneecap show at Eden Project scheduled for July 4 2025 has been cancelled. Ticket purchasers will
be contacted directly and will be fully refunded."
The band were subject of scandal earlier on this year after allegedly saying "Kill your local MP"(Image: PA) The Met said it would investigate videos allegedly showing a band member saying:
"The only good Tory is a dead Tory" and "Kill your local MP" and shouting "up Hamas, up Hezbollah".
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said at the time: "We were made aware of a video on 22 April, believed to be from an event in November 2024, and it has been referred to the Counter
Terrorism Internet Referral Unit for assessment and to determine whether any further police investigation may be required.
Kneecap said they have never supported Hamas or Hezbollah, denied any intention to instigate violence and apologised to the families of murdered MPs, adding: "We reject any suggestion that
we would seek to incite violence against any MP or individual. Ever."
The band also decried the misuse of their footage and said: "An extract of footage, deliberately taken out of all context, is now being exploited and weaponised, as if it were a call to
action.
Article continues below "To the Amess and Cox families, we send our heartfelt apologies, we never intended to cause you hurt."
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