Kneecap have made clear they don't support Hezbollah or Hamas, Taoiseach says
Olivia Kelleher
Taoiseach Micheál Martin says members of Kneecap have been “very clear” in recent statements that they “do not in any shape or form support Hezbollah or Hamas.”
Kneecap member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh has been charged with a terrorism offence in the UK over the display of a flag in support of Hezbollah at a gig at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, London, on November 21st, 2024.
The 27-year-old from Belfast, who uses the stage name Mo Chara, is to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on June 18th.
The charge correlates to Section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000 in the UK. The maximum penalty for such an offence is six months in prison and/or a fine of up to £5,000 (€5,900).
Mr Martin was asked by reporters in Cork if Mr Ó hAnnaidh would receive diplomatic assistance arising out of the incident. The Taoiseach said that consular assistance would be given to Mr Ó hAnnaidh if he requires it.
“The Irish Government through its diplomatic channel always provides, if required, consular assistance to its citizens no matter where they reside.
“I would note that members of the band have been very clear in recent statements that they do not in any shape or form support Hezbollah or Hamas and they have issued statements to that effect.
“But I am not going to interfere in the court process. I think this matter will take its course. I am not going to comment on something that has happened in the UK through its legal processes.
“I have noted as I said the very clear statements from Kneecap that they do in any not shape or form support Hezbollah or Hamas and that was a very important statement in my view.”
Kneecap said the charging of one of their members with a terror offence was “political policing” and a “carnival of distraction”.
In a statement on X, the group said: “14,000 babies are about to die of starvation in Gaza, with food sent by the world sitting on the other side of a wall, and once again the British establishment is focused on us.
“We deny this ‘offence’ and will vehemently defend ourselves, this is political policing, this is a carnival of distraction.
“We are not the story, genocide is, as they profit from genocide, they use an ‘anti-terror law’ against us for displaying a flag thrown on stage. A charge not serious enough to even warrant their crown court, instead a court that doesn’t have a jury. What’s the objective?
“To restrict our ability to travel. To prevent us speaking to young people across the world. To silence voices of compassion. To prosecute artists who dare speak out.
“Instead of defending innocent people, or the principles of international law they claim to uphold, the powerful in Britain have abetted slaughter and famine in Gaza, just as they did in Ireland for centuries. Then, like now, they claim justification.
“The IDF units they arm and fly spy plane missions for are the real terrorists, the whole world can see it.
“WE STAND PROUDLY WITH THE PEOPLE. YOU STAND COMPLICIT WITH THE WAR CRIMINALS. WE ARE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF HISTORY. YOU ARE NOT. WE WILL FIGHT YOU IN YOUR COURT. WE WILL WIN. FREE PALESTINE.”