Kneecap cancel US tour dates amid court case

Irish rap group Kneecap have cancelled a US tour due to band member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh's next court hearing in London.

Mr Ó hAnnaidh, 27, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, was charged in May, after allegedly displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah at a London gig last year.

He denies the offence and the band says its members do not support Hamas or Hezbollah.

The case has been adjourned until 26 September.

In a statement posted on social media, the band said "due to the proximity of our next court hearing in London to the first date of the tour" they have to "cancel all 15 tour dates in October".

"With every show fully sold out, to tens of thousands of fans, this is news we are sad to deliver," it continued.

"But once we win our court case, which we will, we promise to embark on an even bigger tour to all you great heads."

The rap trio, who performed in Paris on Sunday night, said their planned Canadian shows in Vancouver and Toronto will still go ahead.