RAPPER Mo Chara of the Irish-language group Kneecap faced terror charges today in London for statements allegedly showing support for a proscribed organisation.

Liam Og O hAnnaidh, 27, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara in the Belfast trio, and his bandmates Naoise O Caireallain and J J O Dochartaigh were cheered by hundreds of supporters as they arrived in “Free Mo Chara” T-shirts at Westminster magistrates’ court.

Mr O hAnnaidh was charged last month after allegedly displaying a flag in support of proscribed terrorist organisation Hezbollah at a gig in November last year.

At the performance at O2 Kentish Town, the outspoken pro-Palestine musician brandished a Hezbollah flag and said “Up Hamas, up Hezbollah.”

His lawyer argued that the magistrate should dismiss the case entirely, claiming the charges were brought after the six-month legal limit after the alleged offence.

Mr O hAnnaidh was represented by Gareth Peirce, who defended WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange against extradition to the US, Brenda Campbell KC, who represented families after the Hillsborough disaster, and Darragh Mackin, who has already represented Kneecap in a case against Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch.

After a brief back and forth between the prosecution’s Michael Bisgrove and the defence, Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring decided the timeline will be argued at a later date on August 20.

Mr O hAnnaidh was given unconditional bail until then, but he was told he must attend the next hearing otherwise could be hit with an arrest warrant.

Mr Bisgrove said the case had nothing to do with O hAnnaidh’s support for Palestinian rights.

He said: “This is not about his support for the people of Palestine nor his criticism of Israel.

“The allegation in this case is a wholly different thing. This is about his support ... for the proscribed organisation.”

Masses of pro-Palestine protesters gathered outside the court in response to the charges, which activists called a “witch-hunt.”

Mr O Caireallain led the huge crowds in chants of “Free Palestine.”

Wearing sunglasses and a keffiyeh, Mr O Caireallain said: “For anybody going to Glastonbury, you can see us there at 4pm on the Saturday.

“If you can’t be there we’ll be on the BBC, if anybody watches the BBC. We’ll be at Wembley in September.

“But most importantly: free, free Palestine.”