Kneecap Expands Legal Team for Terrorism Defense

Irish rap group Kneecap has assembled a prominent legal team, now including Blinne Ní Ghrálaigh KC (who represented South Africa in the ICJ genocide case against Israel), Jude Bunting KC, and Rosalind Comyn, alongside Gareth Peirce, Darragh Mackin, and Brenda Campbell KC, to defend member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh (Mo Chara) against a terrorism charge for allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag at a London gig in November 2024. The band asserts the prosecution is politically motivated, aiming to silence criticism of Israel, and describes the proceedings as political policing. Kneecap's legal team and supporters emphasize free expression and have backgrounds in major human rights and protest-related cases. The case has drawn support from prominent artists and public figures. The band denies supporting Hezbollah or Hamas. Ó hAnnaidh is scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court next week, where the group plans a vigorous defense.