Irish rap trio Kneecap say they have been forced to cancel 15 US tour dates in October due to one of their members’ upcoming UK court hearing in relation to a terror charge.
Liam Og O hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, will return to Westminster Magistrates’ Court on September 26 after his legal team argued the case should be thrown out due to a technical error in the way the charge was brought against him.
The 27-year-old is alleged to have displayed a flag in support of proscribed terror organisation Hezbollah at a gig at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, north London, in November last year.
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At the adjourned hearing in September, chief magistrate Paul Goldspring will rule on whether he has the jurisdiction to try the case.
The band announced the news to fans on social media and said they were subject to a "witch-hunt" by the Government.
“To all our US based fans we have some bad news", they wrote.
“Due to the proximity of our next court hearing in London to the first date of the tour, as the British government continues its witch-hunt, we will have to cancel all 15 US tour dates in October.
“With every show fully sold out, to tens of thousands of fans, this is news we are sad to deliver.
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Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh is alleged to have displayed a flag in support of proscribed terror organisation Hezbolla
|REUTERS
“But once we win our court case, which we will, we promise to embark on an even bigger tour to all you great heads.”
Kneecap added that refunds for the tour will be available from point of purchase.
They also promised they would be “sharing something very special” for their US fans next week which would mean “we can still link in with you all in October”.
The band however confirmed their four sold-out October shows in Canada, in Vancouver and Toronto, would go ahead as planned.
The band, comprised of O hAnnaidh, Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh, were formed in Belfast and released their first single in 2017.
Kneecap have cancelled 15 tour dates in America
|PA
They hit headlines in April when footage emerged that appeared to show a band member saying “Kill your local MP” at one gig and “Up Hamas, up Hezbollah” at another.
Kneecap have apologised to the families of murdered MPs and said they have “never supported” Hamas or Hezbollah.
They were also investigated over their set at Glastonbury Festival in June, but Avon and Somerset Police said they would be taking no further action in July.
The group are known for their provocative lyrics in both Irish and English and their best-known tracks include Get Your Brits Out, Better Way To Live, featuring Grian Chatten from Fontaines DC, and The Recap.