Kneecap break silence on terror charges: ‘I can’t be completely responsible all the time’

Kneecap’s Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, also known as Mo Chara, has spoken out to Big Issue on the incident that saw him face terror charges in his first print interview since the case was thrown out.

Interviewed alongside bandmate Naoise Ó Cairealláin, known as Móglaí Bap, Mo Chara reflected on what Kneecap describe as being “right in the eye of the storm” in an exclusive interview in next week’s Big Issue magazine, out Monday (23 March).

Mo Chara was accused of displaying a flag in support of proscribed terror group Hezbollah at a gig at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town in November 2024. The charge later fell outside of the timeframe in which criminal charges can be brought, with Westminster Magistrates Court dismissing the case in September 2025.

On 11 March, the High Court rejected an appeal by the Crown Prosecution Service against the decision, meaning Mo Chara will not face any further legal action. In the new Big Issue interview, Mo Chara is asked whether he regrets picking up the flag.

“Ah see, it’s one of those things,” he tells the Big Issue. “I don’t think my lawyer would be too happy me mentioning anything about it.

“When you’re playing a gig it’s impossible to be perfectly conscious all the time. I don’t remember all – and that’s not just from drink, that’s pure adrenaline. I can’t be completely responsible all the time.”

In the wide-ranging exclusive interview, Mo Chara firmly rejects criticism that Kneecap’s stance on Gaza and Israel makes them antisemitic. The band said they are “against discrimination in any form”.

“It’s a real issue. It’s terrible,” he tells the Big Issue. “But when you start labelling bands and people who speak out against Israel as antisemitic, what you do is water that term down. We are not antisemitic.”

Bandmate Móglaí Bap added: “Look, we’re from the north of Ireland. We know about fucking religious conflicts, people using religion as a way to murder, maim and all this stuff. We have gone through that as a country and we want nothing to do with it.”

Kneecap’s first major print interview since Mo Chara’s terrorism charges were dropped will be published in full in Monday’s Big Issue magazine, on sale from street vendors across Britain.

Marking the occasion, graffiti artist 10Foot has created new art which will feature on the cover of next week’s Big Issue. He’s also contributed an exclusive print, which will come free with each magazine.

A year ago, the Big Issue handed editorial control to 10Foot for a special edition of the street magazine. He invited artists including Kneecap and Banksy to make exclusive, unprecedented contributions to the issue.

Get your copy of the magazine from Big Issue vendors across the country from Monday 23 March. Find your nearest vendor here.

Read more:

• No, Kneecap shouldn’t be cancelled – but they shouldn’t go unchallenged, either
• Kneecap fans fly to UK to back band in court – as experts say terror case is ‘pivotal’ for free speech
• Hip-hop pioneers Kneecap on peace, Super Noodles and bringing Irish into the modern day

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