**High-Profile Legal Team Assembled to Defend Kneecap Rapper in Terrorism Case**
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap have announced the formation of a heavyweight legal team to defend member Liam Ó hAnnaidh, known by the stage name Mo Chara, as he faces a terrorism-related charge in the UK. The announcement follows Ó hAnnaidh’s postal requisition for allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag during a performance at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, north London, in November 2024. The 27-year-old is expected to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 18 June.
Ó hAnnaidh’s legal counsel brings together some of the most renowned names in recent British legal history. Gareth Peirce, who acted for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange during his notable battle against extradition to the United States, is set to join the defence. Peirce’s inclusion is widely viewed as an indication of the serious and potentially precedent-setting nature of the case.
Also on the legal team is Rosalind Comyn, recognised for representing climate activists from Extinction Rebellion in UK courts. Their involvement further highlights the perceived significance of the issues at stake, notably the boundaries of protest, expression, and political engagement in Britain today.
Other key members of the team include Darragh Mackin of Phoenix Law, Brenda Campbell KC, Jude Bunting KC, and Blinne Ní Ghrálaigh KC. Each brings a wealth of experience from prominent cases: Mackin played a crucial role in the legal challenge that contributed to the decriminalisation of abortion in Northern Ireland, while Campbell was pivotal in the defence of Seamus Daly, accused in connection with the Omagh bombing, a case which ultimately collapsed. Bunting and Ní Ghrálaigh, meanwhile, represented the non-profit Liberty and were instrumental in overturning the convictions of the so-called Stansted 15, activists who stopped a deportation flight.
The charges faced by Ó hAnnaidh have sparked considerable controversy, raising questions about the scope of free speech and artistic performance within the UK’s counter-terrorism framework. In a statement posted to Instagram, Kneecap described the case as part of a broader campaign against the group by the “British establishment,” expressing their resolve to “fight” in court and pride in their formidable legal support.
Darragh Mackin, speaking to the PA news agency, characterised the coming trial as exceptionally significant, noting Kneecap’s vocal advocacy on human rights issues. “Kneecap have played a unique role in defending the voiceless, particularly regarding Gaza,” he commented. “They stand up for principles when others remain silent. It is an honour to join with colleagues to defend the principle of freedom of expression.”
The Metropolitan Police brought Kneecap under counter-terrorism scrutiny in May 2025, after videos surfaced purporting to show members calling for the deaths of MPs and expressing support for groups banned under UK law. The band quickly issued an apology to the families of murdered politicians and insisted that the incident had been misconstrued and “weaponised”. Kneecap further clarified that they do not and have never endorsed organisations like Hamas or Hezbollah, both proscribed in Britain.
The backdrop to these events is the group’s rising cultural profile. Earlier in 2024, Kneecap released a self-titled film starring acclaimed actor Michael Fassbender, offering a fictionalised account of the group’s origins and their campaign to promote the Irish language through music. Formed in Belfast in 2017 by Ó hAnnaidh, Naoise Ó Cairealláin, and JJ Ó Dochartaigh, Kneecap are known as much for their provocative lyrics and outspoken views as for their musical output.
Some of the trio’s most notable tracks include “Get Your Brits Out,” “Better Way To Live” (featuring Fontaines D.C. frontman Grian Chatten), and “3Cag.” Their willingness to address controversial political themes has earned both praise and criticism, placing them at the centre of ongoing debates around art, politics, and public discourse in the UK and Ireland.
With Ó hAnnaidh set to appear in court imminently, questions continue to swirl regarding the outcome of the case and its wider implications for freedom of expression, especially in the charged intersection of culture and politics. Neither Kneecap’s representatives nor Ó hAnnaidh’s lawyers have issued further comment ahead of the hearing, but the trial is poised to draw significant media attention and public scrutiny in the months ahead.