By Andy McInnes
http://www.dailyexpress.co.uk/
Last night United Chairman Stephen Thompson insisted....that there would be " no repeat " of last season's Title winning scenes after Celtic secured the Championship on Tayside.
Back then,Tannadice officials handed over the stadium to Celtic allowing them control of the PA system as they celebrated three League Flags in a row with a 1-0 win over their hosts.
But the gesture backfired with thousands of pounds worth of damage caused by over exuberant visitors and locals complaining that their ground had been turned into Parkhead.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Celtic fan to face court over IRA flag
By Gavin Roberts
www.eveningexpress.co.uk
Published: 14/05/2009
A FOOTBALL fan who waved an IRA flag at an Old Firm match has been banned for life from Celtic games.
Celtic FC said Peterhead man Aaron Laing would not be welcome to attend any of the Glasgow team’s home or away matches.
The Aberdeenshire 21-year-old enraged fellow supporters after waving a flag with IRA scrawled over the front at last weekend’s Old Firm match.
A Celtic FC spokeswoman today said: “I can confirm the club has banned him for life.”
She added the club would not sell him tickets for away games, but admitted its control over Aaron Laing’s attendance at games outside of Glasgow was limited.
Aaron, from Peterhead, in Aberdeenshire was photographed waving an Irish tricolour as he watched the match at Ibrox, which Celtic lost 1-0.
The Aberdeenshire man claimed the flag did not belong to him and insisted he found it on a seat at the football ground and put it down when he realised IRA was on the front.
It emerged Aaron had been dating Celtic manager Gordon Strachan's niece, Ellis Paterson, 17, the daughter of Grampian Emerald Supporters’ Club president Dave Paterson.
Mr Paterson had said the club did not condone Aaron’s behaviour.
Police in Glasgow were today continuing their investigation into the incident.
www.eveningexpress.co.uk
Published: 14/05/2009
A FOOTBALL fan who waved an IRA flag at an Old Firm match has been banned for life from Celtic games.
Celtic FC said Peterhead man Aaron Laing would not be welcome to attend any of the Glasgow team’s home or away matches.
The Aberdeenshire 21-year-old enraged fellow supporters after waving a flag with IRA scrawled over the front at last weekend’s Old Firm match.
A Celtic FC spokeswoman today said: “I can confirm the club has banned him for life.”
She added the club would not sell him tickets for away games, but admitted its control over Aaron Laing’s attendance at games outside of Glasgow was limited.
Aaron, from Peterhead, in Aberdeenshire was photographed waving an Irish tricolour as he watched the match at Ibrox, which Celtic lost 1-0.
The Aberdeenshire man claimed the flag did not belong to him and insisted he found it on a seat at the football ground and put it down when he realised IRA was on the front.
It emerged Aaron had been dating Celtic manager Gordon Strachan's niece, Ellis Paterson, 17, the daughter of Grampian Emerald Supporters’ Club president Dave Paterson.
Mr Paterson had said the club did not condone Aaron’s behaviour.
Police in Glasgow were today continuing their investigation into the incident.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Celtic Bigots help deprive Scotland of top-class referees
http://timesonline.typepad.com/thegame/
Hidden away within today's Graham Spiers Game blog is the following:
"There has been something quite disgusting about the treatment doled out to Mike McCurry, the Scottish referee who has just been binned by the SFA, two years before he was due to retire. McCurry, an ordained Baptist minister, has gone from being Scotland's leading referee two years ago to a state of oblivion in football.
First, he has had to endure ludicrous tabloid headlines about his private life, and also, due to his denominational leanings, been repeatedly abused by a section of Celtic supporters. McCurry has made mistakes on the field but his abrupt removal from the SFA list of officials is deplorable."
It is perhaps worth asking why some referees - one could mention the likes of phantom handball Iain Brines, or the consistently atrocious Eddie Smith - seem to escape without the accompanying multi-page spreads and OTT press coverage suffered by McCurry?
They have certainly been involved in multiple, controversial, and completely baffling errors in games involving 'The Old Firm'. Perhaps some 'errors' are more acceptable than others. Perhaps The Times is pointing us in the direction of an answer.
In any case, it may be wishful thinking to believe today's article slating the venomous and long-standing bigotry of the Celtic support is but the first of many, in a style similar to the Telegraph's pursuit of the MPs involved in the scandal over expenses, but it is a start.
Hidden away within today's Graham Spiers Game blog is the following:
"There has been something quite disgusting about the treatment doled out to Mike McCurry, the Scottish referee who has just been binned by the SFA, two years before he was due to retire. McCurry, an ordained Baptist minister, has gone from being Scotland's leading referee two years ago to a state of oblivion in football.
First, he has had to endure ludicrous tabloid headlines about his private life, and also, due to his denominational leanings, been repeatedly abused by a section of Celtic supporters. McCurry has made mistakes on the field but his abrupt removal from the SFA list of officials is deplorable."
It is perhaps worth asking why some referees - one could mention the likes of phantom handball Iain Brines, or the consistently atrocious Eddie Smith - seem to escape without the accompanying multi-page spreads and OTT press coverage suffered by McCurry?
They have certainly been involved in multiple, controversial, and completely baffling errors in games involving 'The Old Firm'. Perhaps some 'errors' are more acceptable than others. Perhaps The Times is pointing us in the direction of an answer.
In any case, it may be wishful thinking to believe today's article slating the venomous and long-standing bigotry of the Celtic support is but the first of many, in a style similar to the Telegraph's pursuit of the MPs involved in the scandal over expenses, but it is a start.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Irish anger over IRA flag waving at Old Firm game
http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/Anger-over-IRA-flag-waving.5259951.jp
Published Date: 13 May 2009
By Staff reporter
THE display of an IRA flag at a weekend 'Old Firm' fixture has been roundly condemned.
A Celtic supporter was pictured at the league fixture against Rangers at Ibrox holding aloft an Irish tricolour with the acronym of the terrorist organisation clearly visible.
The defiant gesture is the latest sectarian incident to mar a game between the 'Old Firm' Glasgow rivals.
In March, at the Scottish League CIS cup final between the two sides, Celtic supporters were accused of taunting rival fans with empty pizza boxes in a sickening reference to the murder of two soldiers at Massereene Army barracks earlier this year.
Sports Minister Gregory Campbell then confirmed he would write to his counterpart in the Scottish administration calling for firm action against such sectarian actions.
The latest episode is a prominent topic of debate in online fans' forums and it was claimed by a Scottish-based newspaper that the offending fan is currently dating a niece of Celtic manager Gordon Strachan.
Ulster-based Rangers supporters responded to the way sectarian undercurrents were being highlighted.
Colin Gray from the Bannview supporters' club in Banbridge believes the misdemeanours on the blue half of Glasgow have appeared in the past to generate more adverse coverage.
"This behaviour happens every week. The Celtic fans are synonymous with singing IRA songs, but it never seems to be ever mentioned," he said.
"Rangers have been hammered from pillar to post over the past six years, but it only seems to be a one-way street.
"If a Rangers fan goes into a ground with an Ulster flag, then it gets blown out of proportion.
"It comes from the very top of Scottish football and there doesn't seem to be anything done about it."
Admitting there is a "hardcore small minority" on the Rangers terraces intent on stoking up sectarian tensions, the 21-year-old believes relations off the pitch are not as sinister as in the past.
"I think things are getting better. At the end of the day you are there to support the team, not a paramilitary organisation. No matter what your political beliefs are they should not be coming onto the field of play," he added.
A Celtic spokesperson confirmed the club was aware of the incident and said the club does not "tolerate sectarian behaviour".
The offending fan is expected to be barred from future club fixtures.
Published Date: 13 May 2009
By Staff reporter
THE display of an IRA flag at a weekend 'Old Firm' fixture has been roundly condemned.
A Celtic supporter was pictured at the league fixture against Rangers at Ibrox holding aloft an Irish tricolour with the acronym of the terrorist organisation clearly visible.
The defiant gesture is the latest sectarian incident to mar a game between the 'Old Firm' Glasgow rivals.
In March, at the Scottish League CIS cup final between the two sides, Celtic supporters were accused of taunting rival fans with empty pizza boxes in a sickening reference to the murder of two soldiers at Massereene Army barracks earlier this year.
Sports Minister Gregory Campbell then confirmed he would write to his counterpart in the Scottish administration calling for firm action against such sectarian actions.
The latest episode is a prominent topic of debate in online fans' forums and it was claimed by a Scottish-based newspaper that the offending fan is currently dating a niece of Celtic manager Gordon Strachan.
Ulster-based Rangers supporters responded to the way sectarian undercurrents were being highlighted.
Colin Gray from the Bannview supporters' club in Banbridge believes the misdemeanours on the blue half of Glasgow have appeared in the past to generate more adverse coverage.
"This behaviour happens every week. The Celtic fans are synonymous with singing IRA songs, but it never seems to be ever mentioned," he said.
"Rangers have been hammered from pillar to post over the past six years, but it only seems to be a one-way street.
"If a Rangers fan goes into a ground with an Ulster flag, then it gets blown out of proportion.
"It comes from the very top of Scottish football and there doesn't seem to be anything done about it."
Admitting there is a "hardcore small minority" on the Rangers terraces intent on stoking up sectarian tensions, the 21-year-old believes relations off the pitch are not as sinister as in the past.
"I think things are getting better. At the end of the day you are there to support the team, not a paramilitary organisation. No matter what your political beliefs are they should not be coming onto the field of play," he added.
A Celtic spokesperson confirmed the club was aware of the incident and said the club does not "tolerate sectarian behaviour".
The offending fan is expected to be barred from future club fixtures.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
The truth behind Grampian Emerald Celtic Supporters’ Club
Last night Ellis’s dad David Paterson — Strachan’s brother-in-law and president of the Grampian Emerald Celtic Supporters’ Club — said that they had taken a dim view of Laing’s behaviour.
He said: “We are a family club, we encourage youngsters to come along and we absolutely do not condone this sort of thing.”
He said he was “very sorry” his daughter “had been caught up in all of this”, and added: “It’s not a surprise because of the family’s connection with Gordon Strachan.”
Oh really?
The IRA formed ‘flying columns’, mobile units each composed of around 35 men, serving for up to a week at a time. Tom Barry, a Great War veteran and Commandant of the West Cork Brigade, led a particularly active flying column:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/ashorthistory/archive/intro224.shtml
Here's some of the jolly craicsters of the Grampian Emerald CSC
Here's his daughters bebo, note several sectarian slogans.
He said: “We are a family club, we encourage youngsters to come along and we absolutely do not condone this sort of thing.”
He said he was “very sorry” his daughter “had been caught up in all of this”, and added: “It’s not a surprise because of the family’s connection with Gordon Strachan.”
Oh really?
The IRA formed ‘flying columns’, mobile units each composed of around 35 men, serving for up to a week at a time. Tom Barry, a Great War veteran and Commandant of the West Cork Brigade, led a particularly active flying column:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/ashorthistory/archive/intro224.shtml
Here's some of the jolly craicsters of the Grampian Emerald CSC
Here's his daughters bebo, note several sectarian slogans.
Celtic fan "Anzie" outed as a 'Liar and a Bigot'
http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/news/article2426358.ece
By KENNY ANGOVE
and ALAN CARSON
THE yob caught waving an IRA flag at Ibrox exposed HIMSELF as a liar yesterday after boasting he DID make the offensive banner.
Clown ... Laing gives us the finger in Peterhead
Shamed Aaron Laing, 21 — who IS dating Gordon Strachan’s niece — was captured holding an Irish tricolour with the terrorist group’s name on it.
He later tried to claim he found the flag and told The Scottish Sun he had split from Ellis Paterson, 17, daughter of Celtic manager Strachan’s sister Laura.
But yesterday he boasted about making the banner in a vile rant on an internet messageboard — and insisted he was still with Ellis.
And he then did ANOTHER U-turn when he tried to stand by his earlier claim that he had nothing to do with the flag outrage — despite his online confession.
The unrepentant bigot bragged on an unofficial Hoops messageboard: “It was my flag, I made it and I’ll fight it all the way if anything comes from it. The flag has no reference to any terrorist organisation.”
He then insisted he is still going out with Ellis — despite telling our reporter that they broke up months ago.
He wrote: “No f***ing red top is going to split us up over this.”
But two-faced Laing later broke down sobbing as he continued to claim the flag which sparked the furore didn’t belong to him.
He said: “It was on the seat next to me — I held it up and as soon as I realised, I put it down. I am ashamed of myself.
“It was a drunken mistake. I’m far from a thug.
“I’d like to say sorry to my girlfriend and her family.”
Rant
Despite his claims he wasn’t a thug, the lout had earlier blasted the club for banning him and attacked Celtic chairman John Reid in his foul web rant.
Using his username Henrik7CFC — after Hoops idol Henrik Larsson — he wrote: “Maybe the media should do some research on what the flag means rather than branding me a sectarian bigot.
“I am a republican and a Celtic fan. If they want to leave politics at the door they shouldn’t have John Reid as the chairman.
“There was no crime committed here so we shall see what happens.
“They are trying very hard to ruin my life but they won’t succeed.
“Yes, a silly thing to do was to hold up that flag but it wasn’t a crime as the police would have arrested me. I won’t be broken you b*******.”
His comments — posted under the heading ‘Celtic to ban banner bigot’ — were later removed by admin on the site. Laing, of Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, was snapped grinning as he waved the flag during Rangers’ 1-0 Old Firm win on Saturday.
Celtic launched an investigation but were left red-faced when the yob was identified as dating a relative of Hoops boss Strachan.
Last night Ellis’s dad David Paterson — Strachan’s brother-in-law and president of the Grampian Emerald Celtic Supporters’ Club — said that they had taken a dim view of Laing’s behaviour.
He said: “We are a family club, we encourage youngsters to come along and we absolutely do not condone this sort of thing.”
He said he was “very sorry” his daughter “had been caught up in all of this”, and added: “It’s not a surprise because of the family’s connection with Gordon Strachan.”
Police said they are investigating the incident after receiving a complaint. A spokeswoman added: “Inquiries are continuing.”
By KENNY ANGOVE
and ALAN CARSON
THE yob caught waving an IRA flag at Ibrox exposed HIMSELF as a liar yesterday after boasting he DID make the offensive banner.
Clown ... Laing gives us the finger in Peterhead
Shamed Aaron Laing, 21 — who IS dating Gordon Strachan’s niece — was captured holding an Irish tricolour with the terrorist group’s name on it.
He later tried to claim he found the flag and told The Scottish Sun he had split from Ellis Paterson, 17, daughter of Celtic manager Strachan’s sister Laura.
But yesterday he boasted about making the banner in a vile rant on an internet messageboard — and insisted he was still with Ellis.
And he then did ANOTHER U-turn when he tried to stand by his earlier claim that he had nothing to do with the flag outrage — despite his online confession.
The unrepentant bigot bragged on an unofficial Hoops messageboard: “It was my flag, I made it and I’ll fight it all the way if anything comes from it. The flag has no reference to any terrorist organisation.”
He then insisted he is still going out with Ellis — despite telling our reporter that they broke up months ago.
He wrote: “No f***ing red top is going to split us up over this.”
But two-faced Laing later broke down sobbing as he continued to claim the flag which sparked the furore didn’t belong to him.
He said: “It was on the seat next to me — I held it up and as soon as I realised, I put it down. I am ashamed of myself.
“It was a drunken mistake. I’m far from a thug.
“I’d like to say sorry to my girlfriend and her family.”
Rant
Despite his claims he wasn’t a thug, the lout had earlier blasted the club for banning him and attacked Celtic chairman John Reid in his foul web rant.
Using his username Henrik7CFC — after Hoops idol Henrik Larsson — he wrote: “Maybe the media should do some research on what the flag means rather than branding me a sectarian bigot.
“I am a republican and a Celtic fan. If they want to leave politics at the door they shouldn’t have John Reid as the chairman.
“There was no crime committed here so we shall see what happens.
“They are trying very hard to ruin my life but they won’t succeed.
“Yes, a silly thing to do was to hold up that flag but it wasn’t a crime as the police would have arrested me. I won’t be broken you b*******.”
His comments — posted under the heading ‘Celtic to ban banner bigot’ — were later removed by admin on the site. Laing, of Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, was snapped grinning as he waved the flag during Rangers’ 1-0 Old Firm win on Saturday.
Celtic launched an investigation but were left red-faced when the yob was identified as dating a relative of Hoops boss Strachan.
Last night Ellis’s dad David Paterson — Strachan’s brother-in-law and president of the Grampian Emerald Celtic Supporters’ Club — said that they had taken a dim view of Laing’s behaviour.
He said: “We are a family club, we encourage youngsters to come along and we absolutely do not condone this sort of thing.”
He said he was “very sorry” his daughter “had been caught up in all of this”, and added: “It’s not a surprise because of the family’s connection with Gordon Strachan.”
Police said they are investigating the incident after receiving a complaint. A spokeswoman added: “Inquiries are continuing.”
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
"Anzie" Timeline
Saturday May 9th 2009
Celtic fan pictured at Celtic end of Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow waving IRA banner
Sunday May 10th 2009
Parkhead chiefs vowed to deal with the ned.
A Celtic spokesman said: “If identified as a season ticket holder, this individual will be treated in the strongest terms and banned for life.”
Tuesday May 12th
Celtic/IRA supporter revealed as Aaron "Anzie" Laing, 21, the boyfriend of Ellis Paterson, the daughter of Celtic manager Gordon Strachan's sister.
Daily Record has quotes from people who know Aaron "Anzie" Laing.
"I'm told Anzie has become a regular on the bus but most folk reckon he's a bit of a p***k.
"He's a loudmouth and wears pro- IRA T-shirts. I saw him at the last game at Pittodrie and he was wearing an IRA T-shirt that said, 'Undefeated Army'.
The Scottish Sun has a quote from Aaron claiming “Even though I’m ashamed about it, it’s not a sectarian flag. The British Army are a lot worse than that.”
He added: “I was very drunk. I found the flag at the side of the seat.
“It was a moment of drunken stupidity. I regret it completely. I’m ashamed.
“I shouldn’t have picked it up, but in the heat of the moment I did."
Hours later On Celtic supporters site thehuddleboard.com Aaron "Anzie" Laing admits to painting IRA flag and taking it to Ibrox.
Celtic fan pictured at Celtic end of Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow waving IRA banner
Sunday May 10th 2009
Parkhead chiefs vowed to deal with the ned.
A Celtic spokesman said: “If identified as a season ticket holder, this individual will be treated in the strongest terms and banned for life.”
Tuesday May 12th
Celtic/IRA supporter revealed as Aaron "Anzie" Laing, 21, the boyfriend of Ellis Paterson, the daughter of Celtic manager Gordon Strachan's sister.
Daily Record has quotes from people who know Aaron "Anzie" Laing.
"I'm told Anzie has become a regular on the bus but most folk reckon he's a bit of a p***k.
"He's a loudmouth and wears pro- IRA T-shirts. I saw him at the last game at Pittodrie and he was wearing an IRA T-shirt that said, 'Undefeated Army'.
The Scottish Sun has a quote from Aaron claiming “Even though I’m ashamed about it, it’s not a sectarian flag. The British Army are a lot worse than that.”
He added: “I was very drunk. I found the flag at the side of the seat.
“It was a moment of drunken stupidity. I regret it completely. I’m ashamed.
“I shouldn’t have picked it up, but in the heat of the moment I did."
Hours later On Celtic supporters site thehuddleboard.com Aaron "Anzie" Laing admits to painting IRA flag and taking it to Ibrox.
Celtic IRA banner man is dating Gordon Strachan's niece
May 12 2009 By Charlie Gall
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk
THE moron who waved an IRA flag in the crowd at Saturday's Old Firm game is dating Celtic manager Gordon Strachan's niece.
Aaron "Anzie" Laing, 21, is the boyfriend of Ellis Paterson, the daughter of Strachan's sister.
Decent Old Firm fans united to slam Laing after he brandished the IRA banner in the away section at Ibrox. And the bigot is now facing a life ban from watching the Hoops.
A Celtic insider told the Record: "The club will not tolerate sectarian behaviour and it's safe to say that he won't be back at Celtic Park."
Laing travelled to the Old Firm clash from Aberdeen on the supporters' bus run by the Grampian Emerald Celtic Supporters' Club.
Ellis's dad David, the husband of Strachan's sister Laura, is president of the club.
And he confirmed last night that Laing will no longer be welcome on the bus.
"He has embarrassed everybody," said David, 46.
"He will not be travelling with us again, that's for sure. Without any doubt, he's finished.
"I have already spoken to the bus convener to make sure he's no longer welcome. He won't be taking any more part in the Grampian Emerald."
Strachan, who is well known for his contempt for sectarianism, is close to David and Laura and speaks to them regularly.
His wife Lesley was a bridesmaid when David, a former footballer who played for Highland League side Huntly, married Laura in 1984.
And the Hoops boss was among the guests when David and Laura's eldest daughter, Kayleigh, got married in Aberdeen two years ago.
David, who didn't travel to Saturday's match, stressed that Laing is not a member of the Grampian Emerald.
He added: "I don't know where he got his ticket for the game. Ibrox is one of the easier places to get a ticket because 8000 are made available to Celtic fans.
"I knew him better when he was a lot younger. He used to come on the bus and, yeah, he was a bit of a ned then."
Asked about Laing's relationship with Ellis, David said: "Once upon a time they were close. I don't envisage seeing him again.
"My daughter was down at the game on Saturday."
Ellis has described Laing as "The best" and says she is happiest when "watching Celtic with Aaron".
She and Laing sat next to each other on the Emerald supporters' bus on Saturday but it's not clear whether they were sitting together at the game.
One Celtic fan who was on the bus said: "They were holding hands on the way to the ground.
"I'm sure Ellis's dad would prefer it if she dumped him but you can't pick your daughters' boyfriends for them.
"Laing's a bit of a headcase, a clown, and he gets worse the more he drinks.
"A lot of the boys don't like him because he can be a bit wild with a drink in him."
Another fan added: "Laing appeared on the scene a couple of years back, then I noticed he was going out with Ellis.
"I don't know what her dad will have to say about this. Ellis will be devastated if Davie tells her to drop him. She's only 17 and Aaron is her first love."
The fan added: "I'm told Anzie has become a regular on the bus but most folk reckon he's a bit of a p***k.
"He's a loudmouth and wears pro- IRA T-shirts. I saw him at the last game at Pittodrie and he was wearing an IRA T-shirt that said, 'Undefeated Army'.
"He annoys a lot of people on the bus with his drunken behaviour but people don't say anything because he's going out with Davie Paterson's lassie."
Another Grampian Emerald regular said: "He's bound to be banned from the supporters' club after this. It's a bit embarrassing for Davie, who everyone knows is Strachan's brother-in-law.
"I don't think anyone on the Emerald bus will be crying over Laing if he gets the heave-ho."
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk
THE moron who waved an IRA flag in the crowd at Saturday's Old Firm game is dating Celtic manager Gordon Strachan's niece.
Aaron "Anzie" Laing, 21, is the boyfriend of Ellis Paterson, the daughter of Strachan's sister.
Decent Old Firm fans united to slam Laing after he brandished the IRA banner in the away section at Ibrox. And the bigot is now facing a life ban from watching the Hoops.
A Celtic insider told the Record: "The club will not tolerate sectarian behaviour and it's safe to say that he won't be back at Celtic Park."
Laing travelled to the Old Firm clash from Aberdeen on the supporters' bus run by the Grampian Emerald Celtic Supporters' Club.
Ellis's dad David, the husband of Strachan's sister Laura, is president of the club.
And he confirmed last night that Laing will no longer be welcome on the bus.
"He has embarrassed everybody," said David, 46.
"He will not be travelling with us again, that's for sure. Without any doubt, he's finished.
"I have already spoken to the bus convener to make sure he's no longer welcome. He won't be taking any more part in the Grampian Emerald."
Strachan, who is well known for his contempt for sectarianism, is close to David and Laura and speaks to them regularly.
His wife Lesley was a bridesmaid when David, a former footballer who played for Highland League side Huntly, married Laura in 1984.
And the Hoops boss was among the guests when David and Laura's eldest daughter, Kayleigh, got married in Aberdeen two years ago.
David, who didn't travel to Saturday's match, stressed that Laing is not a member of the Grampian Emerald.
He added: "I don't know where he got his ticket for the game. Ibrox is one of the easier places to get a ticket because 8000 are made available to Celtic fans.
"I knew him better when he was a lot younger. He used to come on the bus and, yeah, he was a bit of a ned then."
Asked about Laing's relationship with Ellis, David said: "Once upon a time they were close. I don't envisage seeing him again.
"My daughter was down at the game on Saturday."
Ellis has described Laing as "The best" and says she is happiest when "watching Celtic with Aaron".
She and Laing sat next to each other on the Emerald supporters' bus on Saturday but it's not clear whether they were sitting together at the game.
One Celtic fan who was on the bus said: "They were holding hands on the way to the ground.
"I'm sure Ellis's dad would prefer it if she dumped him but you can't pick your daughters' boyfriends for them.
"Laing's a bit of a headcase, a clown, and he gets worse the more he drinks.
"A lot of the boys don't like him because he can be a bit wild with a drink in him."
Another fan added: "Laing appeared on the scene a couple of years back, then I noticed he was going out with Ellis.
"I don't know what her dad will have to say about this. Ellis will be devastated if Davie tells her to drop him. She's only 17 and Aaron is her first love."
The fan added: "I'm told Anzie has become a regular on the bus but most folk reckon he's a bit of a p***k.
"He's a loudmouth and wears pro- IRA T-shirts. I saw him at the last game at Pittodrie and he was wearing an IRA T-shirt that said, 'Undefeated Army'.
"He annoys a lot of people on the bus with his drunken behaviour but people don't say anything because he's going out with Davie Paterson's lassie."
Another Grampian Emerald regular said: "He's bound to be banned from the supporters' club after this. It's a bit embarrassing for Davie, who everyone knows is Strachan's brother-in-law.
"I don't think anyone on the Emerald bus will be crying over Laing if he gets the heave-ho."
Celtic IRA yob admits to taking flag to game
See http://www.thehuddleboard.com/hb/showthread.php?t=548026 for the full confession.
Aaron "Anzie" Laing goes under the alias of henrik7cfc.
Celtic IRA yob claims to have found flag on seat
http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/news/article2424066.ece
THE shamed boyfriend of Gordon Strachan’s niece was banned by Celtic for life yesterday for waving an IRA flag at the Old Firm game.
Yob Aaron Laing, 21, was hammered by the Hoops after he was captured holding an Irish flag with the terrorist group’s name scrawled on it.
And last night, after hearing of the club’s ban, the lout fan said: “Well, that’s my life over, then.”
Laing, of Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, has been dating 17-year-old Ellis Paterson — daughter of Celtic manager Strachan’s sister Laura, 42.
The grinning yob was photographed waving the banner as he watched Saturday’s match at Ibrox.
Furious Hoops chiefs vowed to ban the thug. But they were left red-faced when the lout was identified — it was discovered he’d been dating Strachan’s relative.
Manager ... Gordon Strachan
Last night one source said: “Laing goes all over Scotland and Europe to see Celtic.
“His girlfriend’s dad Davie Paterson is married to Gordon Strachan’s sister and gets tickets for the games from the Celtic manager.
Embarrassment
“He goes on the Grampian Emerald Celtic supporters’ bus regularly and there will be people on that bus totally ashamed at what he has done.
“It’s a complete embarrassment for the supporters’ club and I would imagine Gordon Strachan and Celtic won’t be too happy about it.”
Last night shamed Laing claimed the stunt was “drunken stupidity” after finding the flag beside his seat.
Laing said he travelled alone on the train to the match and bought the ticket from a tout outside the ground.
And he even claimed his antics were not sectarian.
Dating ... Laing with Strachan's niece Ellis
He said: “Even though I’m ashamed about it, it’s not a sectarian flag. The British Army are a lot worse than that.”
He added: “I was very drunk. I found the flag at the side of the seat.
“It was a moment of drunken stupidity. I regret it completely. I’m ashamed.
“I shouldn’t have picked it up, but in the heat of the moment I did. He confirmed he’d been dating Ellis but claimed they had split up.
He said: “We had a thing quite a while ago but that has been finished for months.”
Last night Parkhead chiefs refused to comment. But a Parkhead insider said the yob had been banned for life.
The source said: “The club does not tolerate this type of behaviour.”
Ellis’s Bebo site displays the IRA slogan Tiocfaidh ar la or Our Day Will Come.
Last night her family refused to comment at their home in Aberdeen.
Celtic vow to ban their Bigot fan
http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/news/article2421737.eceCELTIC last night vowed to hammer this sectarian yob who flaunted an IRA banner at Saturday’s Old Firm clash.
The lout waved an Irish tricolour with the terrorist slogan scrawled across it in black marker pen.
He was captured on camera grinning as he watched the game — which Rangers won 1-0 thanks to a Steven Davis goal — from Ibrox’s Broomloan Stand.
Last night Parkhead chiefs vowed to deal with the ned.
A Celtic spokesman said: “If identified as a season ticket holder, this individual will be treated in the strongest terms and banned for life.”
Friday, May 8, 2009
Mark Walters talks about debut at Celtic Park
A black day for Scots football
The Scotsman
30 December 2007
By ANDREW SMITH
Bananas greeted Mark Walters on his Rangers debut at Parkhead 20 years ago
MEMORIES do not always marry with the moments they capture.
When it comes to Mark Walters and his Rangers debut in the Old Firm derby exactly 20 years ago this Wednesday, that may be deliberate.
"It was a good day for me; a special one," recalls Walters, who signed for the Ibrox club from Aston Villa in a £1.3m deal on New Year's Eve 1987. "It was a great experience to play my first game for one of the biggest clubs in the world in front of 50,000 at Parkhead – the largest crowd I'd known since earning a schoolboy cap for England. I have shut out anything other than the positives of that day, because it was so exciting to make a fresh start at 23, after two years when my career was on the slide."
On January 2, 1988 Walters became the first black player to turn out for Rangers.
The abuse he was subjected to that day, and at Tynecastle two weeks later, ended any foolish notion that, while Scottish football was blighted by religious bigotry, it was at least immune to the vile expressions of racial intolerance then infecting the English game.
Whenever Walters' name is mentioned in this county these two afternoons are seared in the mind. They have come to define the winger's three-and-a-half years north of the Border; more than his artistry, more than a stash of medals or a goals to games average of one-in-three during his 100 matches.
"People ask me how on earth I could get through that first game and enjoy it," says the player, who made little impression that day as Rangers were beaten 2-0. "To be honest with you, being abused wasn't that much of a rarity in Britain at that time, even if it was more than I was used to.
"I am single-minded. I was brought up by my family to see every experience as to be welcomed because you can always learn from it what you need to be better for it."
Scottish football did not demonstrate such insight – either in terms of the authorities or the media. Clips on YouTube make plain the grim extent of the monkey noises and banana throwing Walters' presence at Celtic Park prompted.
Yet, though Celtic slammed the perpetrators, the Scottish Football Association remained silent. And oddly, in the press over the days that followed, there was scant acknowledgement of a virulent new strain of racism at football in this country.
It was just viewed as another manifestation of the contrariness that Old Firm hatred spews forth. "Only a handful of fans hurled fruit," said a comment piece in the Sunday Mail.
The match reports in The Scotsman and the Glasgow Herald made no reference to the treatment received by Walters. Indeed, the most vociferous condemnation of those who indulged in racist behaviour came in the form of letters printed in Celtic's own newspaper that week.
It wasn't simply in the written press that the issue was skirted around. Archie Macpherson, in his commentary for the BBC, was forced to explain a stoppage to clear bananas from the Celtic Park pitch. He did so by stating, matter-of-factly: "The game has been slightly held up… some assortment of fruit has been removed… you can see it in front of the Jungle."
Two weeks later, Rangers faced Hearts at Tynecastle and Walters was struck by a banana and was met with what the Glasgow Herald described as "deluge of fruit" (contrasting with the "mild outburst of fruit throwing" a fortnight earlier). On television that evening Macpherson famously held up a banana and stated what he had witnessed "made him ashamed to be Scottish".
Macpherson puts down the difference in tone to the obsession with picking away at the sectarianism woven into the fabric of the Old Firm rivalry. Throughout his long career, at least he is one of the few who can claim to have an admirable record on denuding those who would clothe themselves in such tawdry dress.
"There is a conditioning process with these derbies," he says. "We would listen out for sectarian chanting, scan for any disturbances in the crowd and consider the possible implications for public order if there were any violent incidents on the field. Racial taunting didn't enter my head as a contentious issue. I had been brainwashed by the religious divisions. I do not say this as an excuse for failing to acknowledge the infamous nature of banana-throwing but merely as explanation.
"On reflection, I should have been more vocal about it, as I have always been vocal about the other evil aspects that have attached themselves to this fixture. I, wrongly, saw the banana-throwing as in essence puerile; an insipid form of the Celtic support's capacity for a wind-up, at which they are the best in the business. If more had been made of Walters' treatment at Celtic Park, he might not have had to put up with so much at Tynecastle."
It is the very collision of sectarianism and racism that probably left the SFA and the media in a quandary over how to react to the abuse suffered by Walters. The governing body could hardly punish a club for their fans' racist actions when they had never dared bring followers of any side to book for any bigoted behaviour. Equally, how could the issue be highlighted in print without similar weight being given to the fact that, then, Rangers were still 18 months away from a first high-profile Catholic signing in the modern era?
To this day, predictably, there remain pathetic attempts to point-score among the followers of the Glasgow clubs over how much baiting Walters received. Gerry Britton was on the ground staff at Celtic back in 1988. Now manager of Stranraer and a leading figure in the Scottish Professional Football Association – work that involves schools' education programmes on sectarianism and racism – his testimony cannot be disputed.
"It was one of the very few days I fell out with fans of the club I grew up loving," Britton says. "It was bad enough having to hear it, and hearing that a fruit shop near the ground sold out of bananas, but it was truly sickening when our job the day after the game was to clear them away. There were dozens of them, scattered everywhere."
The mood in the country changed following Walters' treatment at Tynecastle, which came after he had made incident-free appearances against Dundee and Morton. SFA president David Will said all would be done to stamp out racism with the hope that "sensible supporters will let the minority know they shouldn't be so stupid in the future".
Hearts chairman Wallace Mercer condemned the banana-throwing as "intolerable social behaviour" and that his club "must be seen to take a stand against racism". Rangers also spoke out, operations executive Alistair Hood demanding the SFA act to "cease" "this kind of despicable behaviour".
"Mark Walters was struck by a banana and no matter how you look at it, this is missile throwing," Hood said.
In forcing Scotland to confront latent racial prejudices 20 years ago, Walters made life at least a little easier for the black players who followed him within these borders. Yet, the treatment meted out to Celtic's Paul Elliott only 18 months later, and the fact that since the turn of this century racist abuse directed towards Hamilton's Brian McPhee, Celtic pair Bobo Balde and Momo Sylla and Rangers' Marvin Andrews has resulted in court cases, suggests as a nation we are not as mature as we would like to believe. As does what happened to Paul Omoniyi, taunted with monkey chants while playing for West Park United under-11s in Dunoon in October 2005 – a case highlighted by this newspaper.
"I am not so shallow as to believe I made a real difference," Walters says. "If it hadn't been me it would have been someone else. If I made one person realise it is wrong to abuse a person because of the colour of their skin, that is something. But football reflects society. Prejudice is based on ignorance and many of those guilty of it have probably become educated because we live in a more ethnically diverse country. As well as that, there are laws now in place and CCTV cameras at all grounds. That means supporters just can't get away with the same abuse and behave at games as they might have done years ago. People might still say and do things in private, but in public..."
It is depressing to think that enforcement as much as enlightenment might account for Walters being the only black footballer in this country to have had bananas thrown at them.
Mark Walters joined Rangers from Aston Villa for £1.3m on December 31 1987 to become the first black player to play for the club. He was signed by Ibrox manager Graeme Souness.
He made his debut against Celtic at Celtic Park two days later, a match Rangers lost 2-0. During the game Walters was subjected to monkey chanting and some Celtic fans threw bananas on the pitch.
Gerry Britton, then on the groundstaff at Celtic, was one of the apprentices charged with clearing the bananas from the pitch the following day. "It was truly sickening," he recalls. "There were dozens of them, scattered everywhere."
The Scotsman
30 December 2007
By ANDREW SMITH
Bananas greeted Mark Walters on his Rangers debut at Parkhead 20 years ago
MEMORIES do not always marry with the moments they capture.
When it comes to Mark Walters and his Rangers debut in the Old Firm derby exactly 20 years ago this Wednesday, that may be deliberate.
"It was a good day for me; a special one," recalls Walters, who signed for the Ibrox club from Aston Villa in a £1.3m deal on New Year's Eve 1987. "It was a great experience to play my first game for one of the biggest clubs in the world in front of 50,000 at Parkhead – the largest crowd I'd known since earning a schoolboy cap for England. I have shut out anything other than the positives of that day, because it was so exciting to make a fresh start at 23, after two years when my career was on the slide."
On January 2, 1988 Walters became the first black player to turn out for Rangers.
The abuse he was subjected to that day, and at Tynecastle two weeks later, ended any foolish notion that, while Scottish football was blighted by religious bigotry, it was at least immune to the vile expressions of racial intolerance then infecting the English game.
Whenever Walters' name is mentioned in this county these two afternoons are seared in the mind. They have come to define the winger's three-and-a-half years north of the Border; more than his artistry, more than a stash of medals or a goals to games average of one-in-three during his 100 matches.
"People ask me how on earth I could get through that first game and enjoy it," says the player, who made little impression that day as Rangers were beaten 2-0. "To be honest with you, being abused wasn't that much of a rarity in Britain at that time, even if it was more than I was used to.
"I am single-minded. I was brought up by my family to see every experience as to be welcomed because you can always learn from it what you need to be better for it."
Scottish football did not demonstrate such insight – either in terms of the authorities or the media. Clips on YouTube make plain the grim extent of the monkey noises and banana throwing Walters' presence at Celtic Park prompted.
Yet, though Celtic slammed the perpetrators, the Scottish Football Association remained silent. And oddly, in the press over the days that followed, there was scant acknowledgement of a virulent new strain of racism at football in this country.
It was just viewed as another manifestation of the contrariness that Old Firm hatred spews forth. "Only a handful of fans hurled fruit," said a comment piece in the Sunday Mail.
The match reports in The Scotsman and the Glasgow Herald made no reference to the treatment received by Walters. Indeed, the most vociferous condemnation of those who indulged in racist behaviour came in the form of letters printed in Celtic's own newspaper that week.
It wasn't simply in the written press that the issue was skirted around. Archie Macpherson, in his commentary for the BBC, was forced to explain a stoppage to clear bananas from the Celtic Park pitch. He did so by stating, matter-of-factly: "The game has been slightly held up… some assortment of fruit has been removed… you can see it in front of the Jungle."
Two weeks later, Rangers faced Hearts at Tynecastle and Walters was struck by a banana and was met with what the Glasgow Herald described as "deluge of fruit" (contrasting with the "mild outburst of fruit throwing" a fortnight earlier). On television that evening Macpherson famously held up a banana and stated what he had witnessed "made him ashamed to be Scottish".
Macpherson puts down the difference in tone to the obsession with picking away at the sectarianism woven into the fabric of the Old Firm rivalry. Throughout his long career, at least he is one of the few who can claim to have an admirable record on denuding those who would clothe themselves in such tawdry dress.
"There is a conditioning process with these derbies," he says. "We would listen out for sectarian chanting, scan for any disturbances in the crowd and consider the possible implications for public order if there were any violent incidents on the field. Racial taunting didn't enter my head as a contentious issue. I had been brainwashed by the religious divisions. I do not say this as an excuse for failing to acknowledge the infamous nature of banana-throwing but merely as explanation.
"On reflection, I should have been more vocal about it, as I have always been vocal about the other evil aspects that have attached themselves to this fixture. I, wrongly, saw the banana-throwing as in essence puerile; an insipid form of the Celtic support's capacity for a wind-up, at which they are the best in the business. If more had been made of Walters' treatment at Celtic Park, he might not have had to put up with so much at Tynecastle."
It is the very collision of sectarianism and racism that probably left the SFA and the media in a quandary over how to react to the abuse suffered by Walters. The governing body could hardly punish a club for their fans' racist actions when they had never dared bring followers of any side to book for any bigoted behaviour. Equally, how could the issue be highlighted in print without similar weight being given to the fact that, then, Rangers were still 18 months away from a first high-profile Catholic signing in the modern era?
To this day, predictably, there remain pathetic attempts to point-score among the followers of the Glasgow clubs over how much baiting Walters received. Gerry Britton was on the ground staff at Celtic back in 1988. Now manager of Stranraer and a leading figure in the Scottish Professional Football Association – work that involves schools' education programmes on sectarianism and racism – his testimony cannot be disputed.
"It was one of the very few days I fell out with fans of the club I grew up loving," Britton says. "It was bad enough having to hear it, and hearing that a fruit shop near the ground sold out of bananas, but it was truly sickening when our job the day after the game was to clear them away. There were dozens of them, scattered everywhere."
The mood in the country changed following Walters' treatment at Tynecastle, which came after he had made incident-free appearances against Dundee and Morton. SFA president David Will said all would be done to stamp out racism with the hope that "sensible supporters will let the minority know they shouldn't be so stupid in the future".
Hearts chairman Wallace Mercer condemned the banana-throwing as "intolerable social behaviour" and that his club "must be seen to take a stand against racism". Rangers also spoke out, operations executive Alistair Hood demanding the SFA act to "cease" "this kind of despicable behaviour".
"Mark Walters was struck by a banana and no matter how you look at it, this is missile throwing," Hood said.
In forcing Scotland to confront latent racial prejudices 20 years ago, Walters made life at least a little easier for the black players who followed him within these borders. Yet, the treatment meted out to Celtic's Paul Elliott only 18 months later, and the fact that since the turn of this century racist abuse directed towards Hamilton's Brian McPhee, Celtic pair Bobo Balde and Momo Sylla and Rangers' Marvin Andrews has resulted in court cases, suggests as a nation we are not as mature as we would like to believe. As does what happened to Paul Omoniyi, taunted with monkey chants while playing for West Park United under-11s in Dunoon in October 2005 – a case highlighted by this newspaper.
"I am not so shallow as to believe I made a real difference," Walters says. "If it hadn't been me it would have been someone else. If I made one person realise it is wrong to abuse a person because of the colour of their skin, that is something. But football reflects society. Prejudice is based on ignorance and many of those guilty of it have probably become educated because we live in a more ethnically diverse country. As well as that, there are laws now in place and CCTV cameras at all grounds. That means supporters just can't get away with the same abuse and behave at games as they might have done years ago. People might still say and do things in private, but in public..."
It is depressing to think that enforcement as much as enlightenment might account for Walters being the only black footballer in this country to have had bananas thrown at them.
Mark Walters joined Rangers from Aston Villa for £1.3m on December 31 1987 to become the first black player to play for the club. He was signed by Ibrox manager Graeme Souness.
He made his debut against Celtic at Celtic Park two days later, a match Rangers lost 2-0. During the game Walters was subjected to monkey chanting and some Celtic fans threw bananas on the pitch.
Gerry Britton, then on the groundstaff at Celtic, was one of the apprentices charged with clearing the bananas from the pitch the following day. "It was truly sickening," he recalls. "There were dozens of them, scattered everywhere."
Sick and depraved
http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/news/article2418255.ece
By BRIAN LEWIS and BRIAN HORNE
EIGHT monsters committed a sickening catalogue of depraved child porn and abuse crimes as part of a vile paedophile network.
The fiends were yesterday convicted of a string of horrific offences — including sex attacks on a baby and toddler — and face years in prison.
They were snared at various locations across Scotland after being traced by police through their sordid internet chats.
Convicted sex offender Neil Strachan — who is HIV positive, and gay rights campaigner James Rennie, 38, were found guilty of shocking attacks on children.
The evil pair, from Edinburgh, were also convicted of plotting to abuse youngsters along with three other members of the gang.
Divorced Strachan, 41, and Rennie now face life sentences after a jury at the High Court in Edinburgh found them guilty.
Bank teller Ross Webber, 27, of North Berwick, East Lothian, insurance claims adjuster Craig Boath, 24, of Dundee, and John Milligan, 40, from Glasgow, were nailed with them for plotting to turn their sick abuse fantasies into reality by arranging access to young children to carry out acts of gross sexual abuse.
Church elder Neil Campbell, 46, of Glasgow, was cleared of conspiracy. But all six, along with IT administrator Colin Slaven, 23, of Edinburgh, and gay sauna worker John Murphy, 44, of Glasgow, were found guilty of charges relating to child pornography.
It is the first time that a conspiracy charge has been used successfully in Scotland to nail a gang of perverts.
They plotted, using web cameras or by phone, to participate in horrific sexual offences, including rape and sodomy.
Nearly 125,000 indecent images were seized during Operation Algebra, which uncovered the group, believed to be Scotland’s biggest paedophile network.
Strachan, who worked with a Celtic boys club, and Rennie faced charges of abusing three young victims in this case. Strachan was convicted of attempting to rape an 18-month-old boy in Edinburgh on New Year’s Eve in 2005.
The chilling attack was captured in a photograph.
Strachan was also found guilty of repeatedly touching a six-year-old boy indecently on the same night while he was asleep.
Rennie — who was at the time, the outwardly respectable boss of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Youth Scotland (LGBT) — was convicted of molesting a boy for more than four years.
The catalogue of abuse started when the child was only three-months-old.
Gay youth worker Rennie circulated photos of the abuse and offered the child to other perverts during internet chats.
He also allowed civil servant Milligan to listen in over the phone while he abused the little boy.
And Strachan, who has already served a prison sentence for child abuse, joined Rennie to molest the tot at Rennie’s flat in Meadowbank area of Edinburgh, when the little boy was between one and three years old.
Milligan, a prolific distributor of child porn with more than 78,000 photos and video clips in his vile stash, discussed getting his hands on the child and passed on images of Rennie’s abuse to others. Rennie also used a computer link at the LGBT centre in Leith to access child porn.
All eight accused were convicted of possessing and making indecent images and seven of them were found to have distributed images. A charge of distribution against Slaven was withdrawn by the Crown.
All the offences were committed in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee and East Lothian during various periods from February 2004 to May 2008.
It is now hoped the probe could spark a new investigation which could uncover a massive international paedo ring.
Police have already identified 70 men across Britain and overseas with links to the gang, almost 50 of whom have been arrested or are under investigation.
DI Stuart Hood, senior investigating officer, believes thousands of beasts could be snared.
Advertisement
He said: “It is impossible to predict how many could be identified worldwide.”
The massive probe into the paedophiles began two years ago when Strachan tried to get his laptop fixed.
Police were called in after a picture of a naked boy was found on the paint machine engineer’s computer. It also contained a folder called “young boys”. Cops believe Strachan forgot the horrific images were on the laptop.
Police then used Strachan’s email and forum names to track down other monsters.
Parents of the abused children were in court to hear the verdicts.
Speaking afterwards, Det Supt Allan Jones, of Lothian and Borders Police, said: “This case was one of the biggest and most challenging ever investigated by the force and represented the largest paedophile network dismantled in Scotland.
"As the investigation unfolded it revealed a web of people who had a common interest in child sexual abuse.
“They made initial contact via the internet and used it to share vile imagery and discuss the abuse of children.”
He added: “Our thoughts go out to the victims and their families who have gone through untold trauma as a result of these despicable acts.”
Morag McLaughlin, area procurator fiscal for Lothian and Borders, said: “All of those involved in the investigation and prosecution of the case have been profoundly affected by it.”
A spokesman for LGBT Youth Scotland said: “We are appalled by the abuse and exploitation of children by James Rennie, and wholeheartedly welcome his conviction.”
By BRIAN LEWIS and BRIAN HORNE
EIGHT monsters committed a sickening catalogue of depraved child porn and abuse crimes as part of a vile paedophile network.
The fiends were yesterday convicted of a string of horrific offences — including sex attacks on a baby and toddler — and face years in prison.
They were snared at various locations across Scotland after being traced by police through their sordid internet chats.
Convicted sex offender Neil Strachan — who is HIV positive, and gay rights campaigner James Rennie, 38, were found guilty of shocking attacks on children.
The evil pair, from Edinburgh, were also convicted of plotting to abuse youngsters along with three other members of the gang.
Divorced Strachan, 41, and Rennie now face life sentences after a jury at the High Court in Edinburgh found them guilty.
Bank teller Ross Webber, 27, of North Berwick, East Lothian, insurance claims adjuster Craig Boath, 24, of Dundee, and John Milligan, 40, from Glasgow, were nailed with them for plotting to turn their sick abuse fantasies into reality by arranging access to young children to carry out acts of gross sexual abuse.
Church elder Neil Campbell, 46, of Glasgow, was cleared of conspiracy. But all six, along with IT administrator Colin Slaven, 23, of Edinburgh, and gay sauna worker John Murphy, 44, of Glasgow, were found guilty of charges relating to child pornography.
It is the first time that a conspiracy charge has been used successfully in Scotland to nail a gang of perverts.
They plotted, using web cameras or by phone, to participate in horrific sexual offences, including rape and sodomy.
Nearly 125,000 indecent images were seized during Operation Algebra, which uncovered the group, believed to be Scotland’s biggest paedophile network.
Strachan, who worked with a Celtic boys club, and Rennie faced charges of abusing three young victims in this case. Strachan was convicted of attempting to rape an 18-month-old boy in Edinburgh on New Year’s Eve in 2005.
The chilling attack was captured in a photograph.
Strachan was also found guilty of repeatedly touching a six-year-old boy indecently on the same night while he was asleep.
Rennie — who was at the time, the outwardly respectable boss of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Youth Scotland (LGBT) — was convicted of molesting a boy for more than four years.
The catalogue of abuse started when the child was only three-months-old.
Gay youth worker Rennie circulated photos of the abuse and offered the child to other perverts during internet chats.
He also allowed civil servant Milligan to listen in over the phone while he abused the little boy.
And Strachan, who has already served a prison sentence for child abuse, joined Rennie to molest the tot at Rennie’s flat in Meadowbank area of Edinburgh, when the little boy was between one and three years old.
Milligan, a prolific distributor of child porn with more than 78,000 photos and video clips in his vile stash, discussed getting his hands on the child and passed on images of Rennie’s abuse to others. Rennie also used a computer link at the LGBT centre in Leith to access child porn.
All eight accused were convicted of possessing and making indecent images and seven of them were found to have distributed images. A charge of distribution against Slaven was withdrawn by the Crown.
All the offences were committed in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee and East Lothian during various periods from February 2004 to May 2008.
It is now hoped the probe could spark a new investigation which could uncover a massive international paedo ring.
Police have already identified 70 men across Britain and overseas with links to the gang, almost 50 of whom have been arrested or are under investigation.
DI Stuart Hood, senior investigating officer, believes thousands of beasts could be snared.
Advertisement
He said: “It is impossible to predict how many could be identified worldwide.”
The massive probe into the paedophiles began two years ago when Strachan tried to get his laptop fixed.
Police were called in after a picture of a naked boy was found on the paint machine engineer’s computer. It also contained a folder called “young boys”. Cops believe Strachan forgot the horrific images were on the laptop.
Police then used Strachan’s email and forum names to track down other monsters.
Parents of the abused children were in court to hear the verdicts.
Speaking afterwards, Det Supt Allan Jones, of Lothian and Borders Police, said: “This case was one of the biggest and most challenging ever investigated by the force and represented the largest paedophile network dismantled in Scotland.
"As the investigation unfolded it revealed a web of people who had a common interest in child sexual abuse.
“They made initial contact via the internet and used it to share vile imagery and discuss the abuse of children.”
He added: “Our thoughts go out to the victims and their families who have gone through untold trauma as a result of these despicable acts.”
Morag McLaughlin, area procurator fiscal for Lothian and Borders, said: “All of those involved in the investigation and prosecution of the case have been profoundly affected by it.”
A spokesman for LGBT Youth Scotland said: “We are appalled by the abuse and exploitation of children by James Rennie, and wholeheartedly welcome his conviction.”
Friday, May 1, 2009
Celtic slop house closed for sectarian singing and fighting
http://www.inverclydenow.com/news-detail2.asp?ID=2709
A PORT Glasgow pub’s drink licence was suspended yesterday after alleged rioting at the premises, including one incident after an Old Firm game.
Inverclyde Licensing Board took the action against Monty’s Bar following a complaint by police. The premises in Bay Street were badly damaged by fire last month.
A letter from Strathclyde Police was read to the board detailing two incidents in March. Around 1.20am on Sunday 8 March, a large number of customers from the bar were involved in a large-scale disturbance in John Wood Street. Ten people were arrested for mobbing and rioting. Two reported serious assaults are also being investigated.
Later that week, the bar’s manager informed police that a ‘rebel-oke’ was to take place at Monty’s on Sunday 15 March after the CIS Cup Final between Rangers and Celtic and that they expected the premises to be very busy. As a result, the clerk to the licensing board advised the licensee to cancel the ‘rebel-oke.’
Around 11.40pm on Sunday 15 March police became aware of a disturbance within Monty’s. Inside they were met by several customers who were drunk and confrontational. The floor was wet, with a large amount of broken glass and blood-staining.
Police established there were only two members of staff and no door stewards. Officers felt the staff were not in control and decided to close the pub on public safety grounds.
Police became aware of patrons trying to leave with alcohol and, while trying to prevent this, an officer suffered a large cut to his hand from a smashed glass when a man struggled with him.
Following the incident, police are investigating an alleged assault, culpable and reckless conduct and two people were reported for riotous behaviour.
The Chief Constable took the view that the incidents were because of a lack of experienced staff and no stewarding.
No one was at the board meeting on behalf of Monty’s. The board was told that a "rebel-oke" was "sectarian chanting or singing"
The licence was suspended until 1 September, when the licence expires. Board chairman David Wilson said: "We are unanimous in our decision.
"This will send out a message that we are not going to tolerate it and if we are told by police it is happening elsewhere we will act."
Robert Moran said "I would like to see the chairman and police superintendent write to licensed premises across Inverclyde saying that we expect the highest standards.
"We need to send out a clear message that we expect well staffed premises with enough stewards when Old Firm games are being televised."
A PORT Glasgow pub’s drink licence was suspended yesterday after alleged rioting at the premises, including one incident after an Old Firm game.
Inverclyde Licensing Board took the action against Monty’s Bar following a complaint by police. The premises in Bay Street were badly damaged by fire last month.
A letter from Strathclyde Police was read to the board detailing two incidents in March. Around 1.20am on Sunday 8 March, a large number of customers from the bar were involved in a large-scale disturbance in John Wood Street. Ten people were arrested for mobbing and rioting. Two reported serious assaults are also being investigated.
Later that week, the bar’s manager informed police that a ‘rebel-oke’ was to take place at Monty’s on Sunday 15 March after the CIS Cup Final between Rangers and Celtic and that they expected the premises to be very busy. As a result, the clerk to the licensing board advised the licensee to cancel the ‘rebel-oke.’
Around 11.40pm on Sunday 15 March police became aware of a disturbance within Monty’s. Inside they were met by several customers who were drunk and confrontational. The floor was wet, with a large amount of broken glass and blood-staining.
Police established there were only two members of staff and no door stewards. Officers felt the staff were not in control and decided to close the pub on public safety grounds.
Police became aware of patrons trying to leave with alcohol and, while trying to prevent this, an officer suffered a large cut to his hand from a smashed glass when a man struggled with him.
Following the incident, police are investigating an alleged assault, culpable and reckless conduct and two people were reported for riotous behaviour.
The Chief Constable took the view that the incidents were because of a lack of experienced staff and no stewarding.
No one was at the board meeting on behalf of Monty’s. The board was told that a "rebel-oke" was "sectarian chanting or singing"
The licence was suspended until 1 September, when the licence expires. Board chairman David Wilson said: "We are unanimous in our decision.
"This will send out a message that we are not going to tolerate it and if we are told by police it is happening elsewhere we will act."
Robert Moran said "I would like to see the chairman and police superintendent write to licensed premises across Inverclyde saying that we expect the highest standards.
"We need to send out a clear message that we expect well staffed premises with enough stewards when Old Firm games are being televised."
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Celtic fan admits knife attack
BBC
A Celtic supporter has admitted attacking a Rangers fan when a fight broke out in a Glasgow pub hours after an Old Firm match.
Shaun Duffy stabbed Brian Duncan, who had come to the aid of his brother, in the Springcroft Bar and Diner in Baillieston last December.
At the High Court in Glasgow he admitted assaulting Mr Duncan to the danger of his life.
Judge Lord Woolman deferred sentencing until June for background reports.
Duffy has a history of violence and was jailed for another knife attack in 1998.
Mr Duncan was left badly injured and is still affected months after the bar attack.
The court was told that the victim's brother, Colin, and his friends had gone to the pub on 27 December after watching Rangers lose at Ibrox earlier that day.
Duffy and his group were also in the busy bar sitting nearby.
Bar fight
The court heard that the accused and Colin Duncan later became involved in a fight.
Brian Duncan, who had been playing pool, saw what was happening and rushed to help his brother.
The 37 year-old was pushed to the ground then Duffy pulled out a knife and stabbed him on the chest and neck.
Simon Bowie, prosecuting, said Mr Duncan was unable to stand up after being attacked.
Duffy, from Garthamlock, fled the scene as people attended to his victim.
Keen footballer
When police arrived, they found chairs and tables upturned in the bar and blood on the carpet.
Mr Duncan lost two litres of blood on the way to hospital and had to be resuscitated.
The court heard he has been left with a lack of feeling in his fingers and his lower legs.
Mr Bowie said: "He was a keen footballer, but is unable to do that and does not now socialize."
Tony Graham, defending, said his client accepted that prison was inevitable for the stabbing.
A Celtic supporter has admitted attacking a Rangers fan when a fight broke out in a Glasgow pub hours after an Old Firm match.
Shaun Duffy stabbed Brian Duncan, who had come to the aid of his brother, in the Springcroft Bar and Diner in Baillieston last December.
At the High Court in Glasgow he admitted assaulting Mr Duncan to the danger of his life.
Judge Lord Woolman deferred sentencing until June for background reports.
Duffy has a history of violence and was jailed for another knife attack in 1998.
Mr Duncan was left badly injured and is still affected months after the bar attack.
The court was told that the victim's brother, Colin, and his friends had gone to the pub on 27 December after watching Rangers lose at Ibrox earlier that day.
Duffy and his group were also in the busy bar sitting nearby.
Bar fight
The court heard that the accused and Colin Duncan later became involved in a fight.
Brian Duncan, who had been playing pool, saw what was happening and rushed to help his brother.
The 37 year-old was pushed to the ground then Duffy pulled out a knife and stabbed him on the chest and neck.
Simon Bowie, prosecuting, said Mr Duncan was unable to stand up after being attacked.
Duffy, from Garthamlock, fled the scene as people attended to his victim.
Keen footballer
When police arrived, they found chairs and tables upturned in the bar and blood on the carpet.
Mr Duncan lost two litres of blood on the way to hospital and had to be resuscitated.
The court heard he has been left with a lack of feeling in his fingers and his lower legs.
Mr Bowie said: "He was a keen footballer, but is unable to do that and does not now socialize."
Tony Graham, defending, said his client accepted that prison was inevitable for the stabbing.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Man's ear bitten off by Celtic fan in 'sectarian' attack
www.irishtimes.com
A Ballymena man had his ear bitten off during what appeared to be a sectarian attack in the Co Antrim town, it was revealed today.
The 21-year-old, wearing a Rangers FC top, was walking his dog when he was targeted by two men, one of whom was wearing Celtic colours of green and white stripes.
The PSNI said the victim of the attack was near the Waveney Youth Centre on the Doury Road on Wednesday evening when he was approached.
He alleged both men made sectarian remarks, including calling him an Orange Bastard, before assaulting him.
During the struggle his left ear was bitten off, said police.
The man took his ear to hospital where doctors managed to sew it back on.
Police appealed for anyone who witnessed the incident to contact them.
One of the assailants was described as being about 5ft 4in in height and of a medium build. He was wearing a green and white striped top. The other man was shorter and wearing blue jeans and blue top.
A Ballymena man had his ear bitten off during what appeared to be a sectarian attack in the Co Antrim town, it was revealed today.
The 21-year-old, wearing a Rangers FC top, was walking his dog when he was targeted by two men, one of whom was wearing Celtic colours of green and white stripes.
The PSNI said the victim of the attack was near the Waveney Youth Centre on the Doury Road on Wednesday evening when he was approached.
He alleged both men made sectarian remarks, including calling him an Orange Bastard, before assaulting him.
During the struggle his left ear was bitten off, said police.
The man took his ear to hospital where doctors managed to sew it back on.
Police appealed for anyone who witnessed the incident to contact them.
One of the assailants was described as being about 5ft 4in in height and of a medium build. He was wearing a green and white striped top. The other man was shorter and wearing blue jeans and blue top.
Monday, March 23, 2009
When Homer insults us it's only friendly slagging
http://www.irishtimes.com/
It’s tempting to conclude that Irish culture has entirely lost its traditional touchiness. It is certainly true that a combination of confidence, a post-modern sensibility in which everything is viewed ironically and a degree of realism about ourselves (we do drink a lot, after all) has changed our ideas of insult. But it is clearly not true that our shoulders are now chip-free zones.
Last year, for example, the Government, via our consul general in the UK, formally protested to the Scottish administration over the singing by Glasgow Rangers fans of a song that includes the line, “The Famine is over, why don’t you go home?” The “you” are the fans of the rival Glasgow Celtic club, and through them, the descendants of Irish immigrants in general. A Rangers fan was subsequently prosecuted for breaching the peace for singing the song.
The Famine Song is actually relatively mild by the standards of some of the sectarian bile that pours out from the stands, but it was evidently judged to be especially outrageous because it mentions the Famine. What was forgotten is that it was Celtic fans who brought the Famine into it in the first place, by adopting the ersatz Famine balled The Fields of Athenry as their anthem.
Why is The Famine Song a matter of state, while The Simpsons is a good laugh? Because the point about the politics of affront is that what really matters is not who’s being insulted, but who’s doling out the insults.
This has always been the way on an intimate level – a friend making fun of you is slagging; an enemy saying exactly the same thing is an assault. We choose whether or not to be offended, and that choice, in a culture where accusations of insult are so damaging, is a kind of power. In our sophisticated mode Homer and Bart are friends of ours and can say what they like.
In our tribal mode, Rangers fans are not, and therefore can’t.
It’s tempting to conclude that Irish culture has entirely lost its traditional touchiness. It is certainly true that a combination of confidence, a post-modern sensibility in which everything is viewed ironically and a degree of realism about ourselves (we do drink a lot, after all) has changed our ideas of insult. But it is clearly not true that our shoulders are now chip-free zones.
Last year, for example, the Government, via our consul general in the UK, formally protested to the Scottish administration over the singing by Glasgow Rangers fans of a song that includes the line, “The Famine is over, why don’t you go home?” The “you” are the fans of the rival Glasgow Celtic club, and through them, the descendants of Irish immigrants in general. A Rangers fan was subsequently prosecuted for breaching the peace for singing the song.
The Famine Song is actually relatively mild by the standards of some of the sectarian bile that pours out from the stands, but it was evidently judged to be especially outrageous because it mentions the Famine. What was forgotten is that it was Celtic fans who brought the Famine into it in the first place, by adopting the ersatz Famine balled The Fields of Athenry as their anthem.
Why is The Famine Song a matter of state, while The Simpsons is a good laugh? Because the point about the politics of affront is that what really matters is not who’s being insulted, but who’s doling out the insults.
This has always been the way on an intimate level – a friend making fun of you is slagging; an enemy saying exactly the same thing is an assault. We choose whether or not to be offended, and that choice, in a culture where accusations of insult are so damaging, is a kind of power. In our sophisticated mode Homer and Bart are friends of ours and can say what they like.
In our tribal mode, Rangers fans are not, and therefore can’t.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Evil beyond belief
http://www.newsnow.co.uk/h/Sport/Football/SPL/Rangers Thursday, 19 March 2009
It’s shocking but no longer surprising that the under classes who follow Celtic Football Club have once again shamed themselves, the organisation they support and indeed humanity with their latest sick stunt. Following hard on the heels of the truly nauseating “Poppy Day” fiasco, Celtic fans thought it funny to wave pizza boxes at Rangers fans at Larne Ferry Terminal and at other locations around Great Britain. Their sick stunts were of course in reference to the Masserene Army barracks murder by IRA cowards of two British soldiers who were going out to collect pizzas that had been delivered.
Predictably, the Celtic media machine immediately went on the defensive, an unnamed spokesman declaring “We have received absolutely no report of this incident whatsoever. However, as a club open to all since it’s formation in 1888, Celtic stands firmly against all forms of bigotry and sectarianism
Where do you start with inane tosh like that? First they infer the incidents never happened. Then they propagate their “open to all” fable. Well it did happen (as the photograph below proves) and not just in one location. That’s a fact. I’ll leave those shameful events and the increasingly despicable actions of Celtic fans for now as I’m sure they’ll be well covered elsewhere.
Not one single complaint from a Scottish politician - wonder why?
It’s the tiresome “open to all since 1888” drivel that really needs to be challenged. As the cowards of the Scottish media wouldn’t dare, let’s examine the matter ourselves.
Perhaps the same spokesman could explain to us all how a business managed to exist for 106 years with a “Roman Catholic-only” board of directors in a country that is 85% non-Roman Catholic? Perhaps he’d further like to explain why a manager (who happened to be Protestant) who brought them their greatest triumphs was offered a job selling club football pools instead of on their board?
Celtic Football Club was formed for sectarian reasons and thus introduced bigotry to Scottish Football. Don’t take my word for it; try the words of football historian and Celtic supporter Bill Murray from his book “The Old Firm”:
“But as well as concern for the suffering poor, brother Walfrid was also prompted by a fear that Protestant soup kitchens might tempt young Catholics into apostasy. Moreover he was equally worried about the dangers of young Catholics meeting Protestants in their place of employment or leisure, particularly during the years after leaving school which he considered the most dangerous as far as "religious duties" were concerned. A Catholic football club then, could serve the dual purpose of easing the pain in starving stomachs at the same as it kept young Catholics together in their leisure time, free from the temptations of Protestants and Protestantism. The aims of his helpers may have been more prosaic, but when the circular announcing the formation of a Catholic club in the East End of Glasgow was circulated in January 1888, its religious foundations were stressed".
That the founder of Celtic Football Club was dead-set against Catholics mixing with Protestants is not up for debate. If that’s not a demonstration of bigotry of the worst type then God knows what is. Celtic and their apologists are wrong to misrepresent the truth behind the clubs’ formation. To neglect the sectarian aspect of the founding of the club is tantamount to revising history. Presenting a partial truth whilst neglecting the whole truth is not only misleading, it is a contributory factor in perpetuating the myth, eagerly seized on by those whose have no qualms about history being re-written, that Celtic were founded solely for charitable reasons. This lack of historical accuracy seems to be a deliberate omission of an uncomfortable truth.
Celtic may have fielded several non-Catholic players over the years, and this is frequently used as a defence against sectarian accusations, however this seems to have been inconsistent with the wishes of their founder. One non-Catholic player, Celtic legend Tommy Gemmell, explained in his book “Lion Heart” that a bad game could provoke angry words from team-mates; “What do you expect of an Orange bastard? They would say it directly to you, and they were not having a joke or a laugh”.
Tommy gives the real truth about the bigotry
Does that comment suggest Celtic is an inclusive club? I don’t think so. And let’s not forget that had Walfrid got his way Gemmell may never have appeared in a Celtic jersey in the first place.
Allow me to repeat the Celtic spokesman’s claim of “a club open to all since it’s formation in 1888”. This quote is nothing more than a bare-faced lie. If you can get a hold of legendary Celtic manager Willie Maley's book he clearly states that it was documented in the Celtic structure that you had to be of Irish Catholic origin to play for the club. They moved away from this policy for one reason and for one reason only, that being that they couldn't get eleven players good enough to consistently compete with Rangers.
Let’s move on to the “charity” fairy story. Perhaps Celtic’s very own Goebbels could explain to us where a poor Marist Brother found the money to build a ground complete with dog track whilst covertly offering illegal financial inducements to Hibernian’s Roman Catholic footballers to join the newly founded Celtic? The uncomfortable truth is that as well as being founded for sectarian reasons, Celtic Football Club was set up to make money from the poor Glasgow Irish. The delicious irony is that the only recipients of Celtic charity were the capitalist families who got rich off the backs of their own kind. Indeed the first grandstand to be built at Celtic Park was “The Glass Stand”. Yep, the Glass family built their own grandstand and charged a shilling entrance fee to their fellow Roman Catholic Celtic fans. Further, the Glass family kept all the profits for the next 30-odd years. Celtic charity at it’s very best!
Celtic managed to buy the ground, build a stadium with two grandstands and a velodrome (cycle track), and have an exhibition match between Hibernian and Renton played on the ground before they themselves took to the field a month or so later. The opposition was a Rangers second XI, known as “The Swifts”. Half of the Celtic team had been Hibs players the month before, the other half had been Renton players.
The six middle class Roman Catholic businessmen that founded and funded the club offered substantial remuneration to the better players of both Renton and Hibs, so long as they were Catholic of course. Hibs folded (later to reappear) and Renton faded quickly into junior football obscurity. Charitable eh?
This quote from “The Origins of Hibernian” defines the situation re the formation of Celtic to a tee:
“Some Irish Catholic leaders however could see some of the danger signs, as it was becoming apparent in these meetings that some of the men coming to the fore were business-minded with hints that personal gain rather than charitable aims were uppermost in their thoughts…………the businessmen, a builder from Donegal named John Glass and Pat Welsh, a tailor who had left Ireland under furtive circumstances (he was a Fenian on the run from Ireland for murder, helped to escape by Willie Maley’s father) 20 years previously. These men had seen the earning potential of a professional football club, and their subsequent methods of achieving their aims was to prove catastrophic for Hibernian Football Club.
It’s a great pity that the Hibs men were so trusting, as John Glass and his partners were already making their own plans and these included financial inducements being offered to the best players in the Hibernian side that they might join Glasgow Celtic for the following season.
Even if Hibs had wished to take Celtic on like for like, they could not do so, the very being of Hibernian was that every penny earned went to charitable causes, Celtic had undertaken no such principles.
John Glass had recognised the massive financial rewards that would ensue from professional football. The game had gone professional in England sometime before, and Scotland was about to follow, all the same the way he set about using the loyalties of the Irish immigrant population left a sour taste in many a mouth.”
As Jim Royle might say “Charity? My Arse!”
Of course the bad smell of militant Irish Republicanism and its sectarian undertones was also to taint the formation of Celtic. Walfrid's co-recruitment agent was a Fenian, Pat Welsh, on the run from Ireland having murdered a policeman. Choice company for a man of the cloth. This would of course be the same Walfrid that Celtic history books clearly document as leading the singing of Irish rebel songs in St Mary's Parish Hall, Glasgow, in November 1887. The opening ceremony for Celtic Park saw the convicted Fenian, Land Leaguer, gun-runner and “embittered Irish Nationalist who was anti-British to the backbone” Michael Davitt lay the first piece of turf. Again, the words of historian Bill Murray:
“It (Celtic Football Club) recognises Ireland as the country of its spiritual origins,
and although today it has lost all formal contacts with Irish politics, in its early days it was closely associated with the fight for Irish Home Rule.”
And of course the anti-British bigotry and hatred that came with it.
In summary, Celtic Football Club was founded in 1888 as an Irish Roman Catholic sectarian and political entity, by a priest of dubious Christian morality and wealthy "businessmen" whom it would seem had few values if any. Their aims were to prevent apostasy and social-cohesion with the mainly Protestant host community in Glasgow……..and to make money. The rich Roman Catholic families that bankrolled the project were also Scottish footballs first unreconstructed capitalists, out to rip the poorest of the poor for as much as they possibly could.
The same founders proceeded to “entice” the best of Hibernian’s Roman Catholic players using bribery (at a time when football was strictly amateur) and emotional-blackmail. These Hibs players, who were "superstars" of their time, abandoned Edinburgh for the fledgling Roman Catholic club in Glasgow. This "poverty-stricken" Celtic also had an all-purpose, state of the art stadium to play in which was well in advance of anything owned by of their rivals. It was firmly in place for the ex-Hibs players’ arrival, as well as their illegal under the counter wages. But not before Celtic had gratefully accepted a sizeable cash donation from naive Hibernian officials towards the expenses of forming the new club.
A few other questions Mr. Celtic Spokesman may care to answer:
1. Is this the same all inclusive Celtic whom former Chairman Fergus McCann once described as being infested with “Celtic-minded Catholic bigots” ?
2. Is this the same all inclusive Celtic who in 2001 had to ban their staff from using a sectarian term commonly used in Ulster by Republicans to decry Protestants?
3. Is this the same all inclusive Celtic who allowed Irish Republican Patricia Ferns to sing the IRA anthems and refer to Rangers fans as “animals” at Celtic Park on 29th May 2005?
4. Is this the same all inclusive Celtic whom allowed mock appearance of the Pope blessing all four corners of the stadium at the same game?
5. Is this the all inclusive Celtic whose Chief Executive Jock Brown told of being presented with a list of staff who were Catholic, a move he described as “sinister and undesirable” ?
6. Is this the same all inclusive Celtic who were the only club in the United Kingdom to remember our war dead with a minutes applause as opposed to the traditional and respectful silence, fearful their hate-filled fans would disrupt proceedings?
7. Is this the same all-inclusive Celtic whose captain mouthed the words “orange bastards” at the Rangers dug-out?
8. Is this the same all inclusive Celtic who were the only club in Britain not to have a minutes silence for victims of the Omagh bomb?
9. Is this the same all inclusive Celtic who employed a former fanzine editor whose production featured a cartoon family called “The Dirty Orange Bastards”?
10. Is this the same all-inclusive club whose fans regularly sing a song featuring the line “Soon there’ll be no Protestants at all”?
11. Is this the same all inclusive Celtic whose fans perpetrated the worst incident of racism ever witnessed in a British sporting arena on the 2nd January 1988?
12. Is this the same all inclusive Celtic whose under class shouted “IRA” and “Free the Prisoners” at Fir Park during a minutes silence for the 96 victims of the Hillsborough Disaster?
I really could go on all day, but I think by now I may have proved Mr. Celtic Spokesman’s “all-inclusive” claims have about as much credence as Bishop Richard Williamson’s “no holocaust” claims!
Today’s newspapers feature a headline article where former Scottish Tory Leader has called for changes in the way anti-sectarian laws work in football. Amongst his comments Mr. McLetchie states:
“Whilst on one side of the sectarian divide in Scotland, it clearly applies in practice to malice directed towards people of the Roman Catholic faith, the contrary sectarian behaviour in Scotland is primarily expressed in practice through the glorification of Irish nationalism and terrorism against the British state.”
Glorification of Irish Nationalism? Terrorism against the British State? Who on earth could he be referring to? Whoever it is, they certainly couldn’t be considered to be “all inclusive” by any stretch of the imagination.
It’s shocking but no longer surprising that the under classes who follow Celtic Football Club have once again shamed themselves, the organisation they support and indeed humanity with their latest sick stunt. Following hard on the heels of the truly nauseating “Poppy Day” fiasco, Celtic fans thought it funny to wave pizza boxes at Rangers fans at Larne Ferry Terminal and at other locations around Great Britain. Their sick stunts were of course in reference to the Masserene Army barracks murder by IRA cowards of two British soldiers who were going out to collect pizzas that had been delivered.
Predictably, the Celtic media machine immediately went on the defensive, an unnamed spokesman declaring “We have received absolutely no report of this incident whatsoever. However, as a club open to all since it’s formation in 1888, Celtic stands firmly against all forms of bigotry and sectarianism
Where do you start with inane tosh like that? First they infer the incidents never happened. Then they propagate their “open to all” fable. Well it did happen (as the photograph below proves) and not just in one location. That’s a fact. I’ll leave those shameful events and the increasingly despicable actions of Celtic fans for now as I’m sure they’ll be well covered elsewhere.
Not one single complaint from a Scottish politician - wonder why?
It’s the tiresome “open to all since 1888” drivel that really needs to be challenged. As the cowards of the Scottish media wouldn’t dare, let’s examine the matter ourselves.
Perhaps the same spokesman could explain to us all how a business managed to exist for 106 years with a “Roman Catholic-only” board of directors in a country that is 85% non-Roman Catholic? Perhaps he’d further like to explain why a manager (who happened to be Protestant) who brought them their greatest triumphs was offered a job selling club football pools instead of on their board?
Celtic Football Club was formed for sectarian reasons and thus introduced bigotry to Scottish Football. Don’t take my word for it; try the words of football historian and Celtic supporter Bill Murray from his book “The Old Firm”:
“But as well as concern for the suffering poor, brother Walfrid was also prompted by a fear that Protestant soup kitchens might tempt young Catholics into apostasy. Moreover he was equally worried about the dangers of young Catholics meeting Protestants in their place of employment or leisure, particularly during the years after leaving school which he considered the most dangerous as far as "religious duties" were concerned. A Catholic football club then, could serve the dual purpose of easing the pain in starving stomachs at the same as it kept young Catholics together in their leisure time, free from the temptations of Protestants and Protestantism. The aims of his helpers may have been more prosaic, but when the circular announcing the formation of a Catholic club in the East End of Glasgow was circulated in January 1888, its religious foundations were stressed".
That the founder of Celtic Football Club was dead-set against Catholics mixing with Protestants is not up for debate. If that’s not a demonstration of bigotry of the worst type then God knows what is. Celtic and their apologists are wrong to misrepresent the truth behind the clubs’ formation. To neglect the sectarian aspect of the founding of the club is tantamount to revising history. Presenting a partial truth whilst neglecting the whole truth is not only misleading, it is a contributory factor in perpetuating the myth, eagerly seized on by those whose have no qualms about history being re-written, that Celtic were founded solely for charitable reasons. This lack of historical accuracy seems to be a deliberate omission of an uncomfortable truth.
Celtic may have fielded several non-Catholic players over the years, and this is frequently used as a defence against sectarian accusations, however this seems to have been inconsistent with the wishes of their founder. One non-Catholic player, Celtic legend Tommy Gemmell, explained in his book “Lion Heart” that a bad game could provoke angry words from team-mates; “What do you expect of an Orange bastard? They would say it directly to you, and they were not having a joke or a laugh”.
Tommy gives the real truth about the bigotry
Does that comment suggest Celtic is an inclusive club? I don’t think so. And let’s not forget that had Walfrid got his way Gemmell may never have appeared in a Celtic jersey in the first place.
Allow me to repeat the Celtic spokesman’s claim of “a club open to all since it’s formation in 1888”. This quote is nothing more than a bare-faced lie. If you can get a hold of legendary Celtic manager Willie Maley's book he clearly states that it was documented in the Celtic structure that you had to be of Irish Catholic origin to play for the club. They moved away from this policy for one reason and for one reason only, that being that they couldn't get eleven players good enough to consistently compete with Rangers.
Let’s move on to the “charity” fairy story. Perhaps Celtic’s very own Goebbels could explain to us where a poor Marist Brother found the money to build a ground complete with dog track whilst covertly offering illegal financial inducements to Hibernian’s Roman Catholic footballers to join the newly founded Celtic? The uncomfortable truth is that as well as being founded for sectarian reasons, Celtic Football Club was set up to make money from the poor Glasgow Irish. The delicious irony is that the only recipients of Celtic charity were the capitalist families who got rich off the backs of their own kind. Indeed the first grandstand to be built at Celtic Park was “The Glass Stand”. Yep, the Glass family built their own grandstand and charged a shilling entrance fee to their fellow Roman Catholic Celtic fans. Further, the Glass family kept all the profits for the next 30-odd years. Celtic charity at it’s very best!
Celtic managed to buy the ground, build a stadium with two grandstands and a velodrome (cycle track), and have an exhibition match between Hibernian and Renton played on the ground before they themselves took to the field a month or so later. The opposition was a Rangers second XI, known as “The Swifts”. Half of the Celtic team had been Hibs players the month before, the other half had been Renton players.
The six middle class Roman Catholic businessmen that founded and funded the club offered substantial remuneration to the better players of both Renton and Hibs, so long as they were Catholic of course. Hibs folded (later to reappear) and Renton faded quickly into junior football obscurity. Charitable eh?
This quote from “The Origins of Hibernian” defines the situation re the formation of Celtic to a tee:
“Some Irish Catholic leaders however could see some of the danger signs, as it was becoming apparent in these meetings that some of the men coming to the fore were business-minded with hints that personal gain rather than charitable aims were uppermost in their thoughts…………the businessmen, a builder from Donegal named John Glass and Pat Welsh, a tailor who had left Ireland under furtive circumstances (he was a Fenian on the run from Ireland for murder, helped to escape by Willie Maley’s father) 20 years previously. These men had seen the earning potential of a professional football club, and their subsequent methods of achieving their aims was to prove catastrophic for Hibernian Football Club.
It’s a great pity that the Hibs men were so trusting, as John Glass and his partners were already making their own plans and these included financial inducements being offered to the best players in the Hibernian side that they might join Glasgow Celtic for the following season.
Even if Hibs had wished to take Celtic on like for like, they could not do so, the very being of Hibernian was that every penny earned went to charitable causes, Celtic had undertaken no such principles.
John Glass had recognised the massive financial rewards that would ensue from professional football. The game had gone professional in England sometime before, and Scotland was about to follow, all the same the way he set about using the loyalties of the Irish immigrant population left a sour taste in many a mouth.”
As Jim Royle might say “Charity? My Arse!”
Of course the bad smell of militant Irish Republicanism and its sectarian undertones was also to taint the formation of Celtic. Walfrid's co-recruitment agent was a Fenian, Pat Welsh, on the run from Ireland having murdered a policeman. Choice company for a man of the cloth. This would of course be the same Walfrid that Celtic history books clearly document as leading the singing of Irish rebel songs in St Mary's Parish Hall, Glasgow, in November 1887. The opening ceremony for Celtic Park saw the convicted Fenian, Land Leaguer, gun-runner and “embittered Irish Nationalist who was anti-British to the backbone” Michael Davitt lay the first piece of turf. Again, the words of historian Bill Murray:
“It (Celtic Football Club) recognises Ireland as the country of its spiritual origins,
and although today it has lost all formal contacts with Irish politics, in its early days it was closely associated with the fight for Irish Home Rule.”
And of course the anti-British bigotry and hatred that came with it.
In summary, Celtic Football Club was founded in 1888 as an Irish Roman Catholic sectarian and political entity, by a priest of dubious Christian morality and wealthy "businessmen" whom it would seem had few values if any. Their aims were to prevent apostasy and social-cohesion with the mainly Protestant host community in Glasgow……..and to make money. The rich Roman Catholic families that bankrolled the project were also Scottish footballs first unreconstructed capitalists, out to rip the poorest of the poor for as much as they possibly could.
The same founders proceeded to “entice” the best of Hibernian’s Roman Catholic players using bribery (at a time when football was strictly amateur) and emotional-blackmail. These Hibs players, who were "superstars" of their time, abandoned Edinburgh for the fledgling Roman Catholic club in Glasgow. This "poverty-stricken" Celtic also had an all-purpose, state of the art stadium to play in which was well in advance of anything owned by of their rivals. It was firmly in place for the ex-Hibs players’ arrival, as well as their illegal under the counter wages. But not before Celtic had gratefully accepted a sizeable cash donation from naive Hibernian officials towards the expenses of forming the new club.
A few other questions Mr. Celtic Spokesman may care to answer:
1. Is this the same all inclusive Celtic whom former Chairman Fergus McCann once described as being infested with “Celtic-minded Catholic bigots” ?
2. Is this the same all inclusive Celtic who in 2001 had to ban their staff from using a sectarian term commonly used in Ulster by Republicans to decry Protestants?
3. Is this the same all inclusive Celtic who allowed Irish Republican Patricia Ferns to sing the IRA anthems and refer to Rangers fans as “animals” at Celtic Park on 29th May 2005?
4. Is this the same all inclusive Celtic whom allowed mock appearance of the Pope blessing all four corners of the stadium at the same game?
5. Is this the all inclusive Celtic whose Chief Executive Jock Brown told of being presented with a list of staff who were Catholic, a move he described as “sinister and undesirable” ?
6. Is this the same all inclusive Celtic who were the only club in the United Kingdom to remember our war dead with a minutes applause as opposed to the traditional and respectful silence, fearful their hate-filled fans would disrupt proceedings?
7. Is this the same all-inclusive Celtic whose captain mouthed the words “orange bastards” at the Rangers dug-out?
8. Is this the same all inclusive Celtic who were the only club in Britain not to have a minutes silence for victims of the Omagh bomb?
9. Is this the same all inclusive Celtic who employed a former fanzine editor whose production featured a cartoon family called “The Dirty Orange Bastards”?
10. Is this the same all-inclusive club whose fans regularly sing a song featuring the line “Soon there’ll be no Protestants at all”?
11. Is this the same all inclusive Celtic whose fans perpetrated the worst incident of racism ever witnessed in a British sporting arena on the 2nd January 1988?
12. Is this the same all inclusive Celtic whose under class shouted “IRA” and “Free the Prisoners” at Fir Park during a minutes silence for the 96 victims of the Hillsborough Disaster?
I really could go on all day, but I think by now I may have proved Mr. Celtic Spokesman’s “all-inclusive” claims have about as much credence as Bishop Richard Williamson’s “no holocaust” claims!
Today’s newspapers feature a headline article where former Scottish Tory Leader has called for changes in the way anti-sectarian laws work in football. Amongst his comments Mr. McLetchie states:
“Whilst on one side of the sectarian divide in Scotland, it clearly applies in practice to malice directed towards people of the Roman Catholic faith, the contrary sectarian behaviour in Scotland is primarily expressed in practice through the glorification of Irish nationalism and terrorism against the British state.”
Glorification of Irish Nationalism? Terrorism against the British State? Who on earth could he be referring to? Whoever it is, they certainly couldn’t be considered to be “all inclusive” by any stretch of the imagination.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Celtic fans accused of pizza box taunts
http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/Celtic-fans-accused-of-pizza.5081563.jp
Published Date: 18 March 2009
SPORTS Minister Gregory Campbell is to write to his counterpart in the Scottish administration to make a joint call for firm action against sectarianism at Rangers v Celtic matches.
The DUP MP spoke out after he heard allegations that Celtic fans were waving empty pizza boxes at Rangers fans in places including Larne in a reference to the Masserene Army barrack murder of two soldiers who were going out to collect pizzas.
Final
The incident was said to have happened before the Cooperative Insurance Cup Final on Sunday.
Celtic Football Club, Bally-mena Shamrock Celtic Supporters Club, the PSNI, and an SDLP councillor from Larne all said they were unaware of any such taunts.
The game finished 2-0 to Celtic.
Last night Mr Campbell said he had been contacted by a number of people about "pizza box incidents".
"It appears a number of people saw Celtic fans waving pizza boxes at the actual game and a number saw them doing the same at the ferry and at the airport.
"Given the widespread and universal condemnation of the murders it seems a lot of these fans have a lot to learn. I think it is imperative for the club to condemn the incidents and distance themselves from them. Celtic also need to call for anyone with information about the incidents to pass that onto the PSNI."
Reports
Last night a statement from Celtic FC said they had received "absolutely no report or evidence of this incident whatsoever".
"However, as a club open to all since its formation in 1888, Celtic stands firmly against all forms of bigotry and sectarianism".
Mr Campbell said he planned to write to his Scottish counterpart to agree plans to eliminate sectarianism from Rangers v Celtic matches.
"Given the context of what has happened in the last few days, and the sensitivity of the issue, I think it needs to be done."
A PSNI spokesman said no incidents involving pizza boxes had been reported to them.
Rangers fan Robert Purdy contacted the News Letter to give details about his experience of "sectarian Celtic fans waving pizza boxes".
The 25-year-old from Newtownabbey said he was leaving his friends to the boat in Larne on Sunday morning when "a crowd of more than 10 Celtic fans carrying pizza boxes started waving them blatantly in our faces and mocking the death of the two soldiers in Antrim".
"They were shouting things like, 'who ordered the pizza'."
Confrontation
Robert, who was also wearing a Rangers top in preparation for catching a plane to Glasgow for the game, said he was minded to get out of his car and confront the Celtic fans, "only there were too many of them".
"There were around 10, possibly more, in the group. But one of the fellas in our group, who was not wearing any colours, approached the men with pizza boxes to see what they were doing.
"They thought he was a Celtic fan and started talking to him.
They told him they were from Ballymena.”
SDLP councillor Martin Wilson, who attended the game, said he saw no instances of sectarianism on either the ferry or during the game.
A spokesman for Ballymena Shamrocks Supporters Club contacted the BBC to say their members were not involved in any sectarian incident at Larne.
In a message read out on the Stephen Nolan show the spokesman added that their members had travelled on the Stena HSS from Belfast.
Published Date: 18 March 2009
SPORTS Minister Gregory Campbell is to write to his counterpart in the Scottish administration to make a joint call for firm action against sectarianism at Rangers v Celtic matches.
The DUP MP spoke out after he heard allegations that Celtic fans were waving empty pizza boxes at Rangers fans in places including Larne in a reference to the Masserene Army barrack murder of two soldiers who were going out to collect pizzas.
Final
The incident was said to have happened before the Cooperative Insurance Cup Final on Sunday.
Celtic Football Club, Bally-mena Shamrock Celtic Supporters Club, the PSNI, and an SDLP councillor from Larne all said they were unaware of any such taunts.
The game finished 2-0 to Celtic.
Last night Mr Campbell said he had been contacted by a number of people about "pizza box incidents".
"It appears a number of people saw Celtic fans waving pizza boxes at the actual game and a number saw them doing the same at the ferry and at the airport.
"Given the widespread and universal condemnation of the murders it seems a lot of these fans have a lot to learn. I think it is imperative for the club to condemn the incidents and distance themselves from them. Celtic also need to call for anyone with information about the incidents to pass that onto the PSNI."
Reports
Last night a statement from Celtic FC said they had received "absolutely no report or evidence of this incident whatsoever".
"However, as a club open to all since its formation in 1888, Celtic stands firmly against all forms of bigotry and sectarianism".
Mr Campbell said he planned to write to his Scottish counterpart to agree plans to eliminate sectarianism from Rangers v Celtic matches.
"Given the context of what has happened in the last few days, and the sensitivity of the issue, I think it needs to be done."
A PSNI spokesman said no incidents involving pizza boxes had been reported to them.
Rangers fan Robert Purdy contacted the News Letter to give details about his experience of "sectarian Celtic fans waving pizza boxes".
The 25-year-old from Newtownabbey said he was leaving his friends to the boat in Larne on Sunday morning when "a crowd of more than 10 Celtic fans carrying pizza boxes started waving them blatantly in our faces and mocking the death of the two soldiers in Antrim".
"They were shouting things like, 'who ordered the pizza'."
Confrontation
Robert, who was also wearing a Rangers top in preparation for catching a plane to Glasgow for the game, said he was minded to get out of his car and confront the Celtic fans, "only there were too many of them".
"There were around 10, possibly more, in the group. But one of the fellas in our group, who was not wearing any colours, approached the men with pizza boxes to see what they were doing.
"They thought he was a Celtic fan and started talking to him.
They told him they were from Ballymena.”
SDLP councillor Martin Wilson, who attended the game, said he saw no instances of sectarianism on either the ferry or during the game.
A spokesman for Ballymena Shamrocks Supporters Club contacted the BBC to say their members were not involved in any sectarian incident at Larne.
In a message read out on the Stephen Nolan show the spokesman added that their members had travelled on the Stena HSS from Belfast.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Oops, touched a nerve perhaps?
Oh dear. It seems this column might have upset some of those lovely, charming and utterly adorable Celtic fans.By Ian O'Doherty, Irish Idependent
You may recall that ISpy wrote last week about 'jokes' posted on a Celtic message board celebrating the murder of two soldiers in the North.
Well, apparently, you're not allowed to point out that maybe these brave Celts would like to share some of those jokes with the dead soldiers' army colleagues.
This prompted a barrage of support from Celtic fans who were embarrassed that fellow fans would engage in such cowardly actions and they wanted to express how sorry they were about the whole affair.
Actually, that's not true. They went mental
A sample of the correspondence: "Here fatboy if you hate Celtic fans so much why don't you take a trip over Glasgow on matchdays and tell us to our faces.Donj't just site there behind your crumbfilled keyboard at that filthy fascist rag spouting like hardman,you know where our ground is,get your big fat shitey arse over."
Obviously, this column isn't worthy of cleaning up such wonderful copy, so we printed it as it arrived.
Thank you, mattynor@yahoo.co.uk for sharing your thoughts with the nation; you really are a testament to the club you support.
Friday, March 13, 2009
And the Glasgow Celtic Won’t be There!
http://thatsireland.com/2007/08/17/and-the-glasgow-celtic-wont-be-there/
I assume they’re going to rewrite the old Hail Hail song to end with:
We don’t care if we’re playing at all
What the hell do we care?
For it’s all we know
That there’s going to be a show
And the Glasgow Celtic won’t be there!
Last night, a group of Irish Celtic fans went to Dalymount Park to celebrate their Irishness by cheering a Swedish Member of the British Empire, who was playing for a Swedish club against an Irish club, because that Swedish MBE used to play for a British club that has Irish connections:
Hail, Hail, the Celts Aren’t Here!
They brought a huge Celtic flag, and a tricolour with the Celtic crest on it, to a match in which Celtic were not playing (Drogheda Utd. against Helsingborg in a UEFA Cup match); they sang Celtic songs throughout the match; and they moved around the terraces to stay as close as they could to the Swedish object of their Celtic affections, Henrik Larsson MBE.
Let’s be fair here. A lot of Irish people follow Celtic, which is a British football club, because of its Irish connections. They feel a sense of tribal identity with the mostly Roman Catholic Irishness of Celtic football club. And that’s fair enough. Only you can define your cultural identity.
Celtic happen to play good football, but that is beside the point. Many other British, European or world football clubs play better football, and the Irish Celtic fans don’t follow those teams. Essentially, Irish Celtic fans follow Celtic because of their Irishness.
What the Hell do We Care?
Again, fair enough. Support whoever you want, for whatever reason you want. But if you do choose your football team because of its Irishness, why would you support a Swedish team playing against an Irish team?
I know, I know, it’s because Henrik Larsson MBE was playing for the Swedish team, and he used to play for Celtic. Yes, we remember you all jumping up and down and cheering when Larsson scored.
But why was Larsson playing for Helsingborg? Because he feels a sense of local identity that made him want to end his career playing for his home town team.
Oh, the irony.
Come on, the Drogs!
By the way, Drogheda drew 1-1, and still have an outside chance of winning the away leg. Come on, the Drogs!
Like this? Please spread the word…
I assume they’re going to rewrite the old Hail Hail song to end with:
We don’t care if we’re playing at all
What the hell do we care?
For it’s all we know
That there’s going to be a show
And the Glasgow Celtic won’t be there!
Last night, a group of Irish Celtic fans went to Dalymount Park to celebrate their Irishness by cheering a Swedish Member of the British Empire, who was playing for a Swedish club against an Irish club, because that Swedish MBE used to play for a British club that has Irish connections:
Hail, Hail, the Celts Aren’t Here!
They brought a huge Celtic flag, and a tricolour with the Celtic crest on it, to a match in which Celtic were not playing (Drogheda Utd. against Helsingborg in a UEFA Cup match); they sang Celtic songs throughout the match; and they moved around the terraces to stay as close as they could to the Swedish object of their Celtic affections, Henrik Larsson MBE.
Let’s be fair here. A lot of Irish people follow Celtic, which is a British football club, because of its Irish connections. They feel a sense of tribal identity with the mostly Roman Catholic Irishness of Celtic football club. And that’s fair enough. Only you can define your cultural identity.
Celtic happen to play good football, but that is beside the point. Many other British, European or world football clubs play better football, and the Irish Celtic fans don’t follow those teams. Essentially, Irish Celtic fans follow Celtic because of their Irishness.
What the Hell do We Care?
Again, fair enough. Support whoever you want, for whatever reason you want. But if you do choose your football team because of its Irishness, why would you support a Swedish team playing against an Irish team?
I know, I know, it’s because Henrik Larsson MBE was playing for the Swedish team, and he used to play for Celtic. Yes, we remember you all jumping up and down and cheering when Larsson scored.
But why was Larsson playing for Helsingborg? Because he feels a sense of local identity that made him want to end his career playing for his home town team.
Oh, the irony.
Come on, the Drogs!
By the way, Drogheda drew 1-1, and still have an outside chance of winning the away leg. Come on, the Drogs!
Like this? Please spread the word…
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Irish journalist views on the Celtic supporters
http://www.independent.ie/opinion/columnists/ian-odoherty/those-charming-men-1669772.html
Written by Ian O'Doherty from Irish Independent
"Second only to Scousers, Celtic fans carry more chips on their shoulder than a branch of McDonald's.
Quick to express any sense of offence, they exhibit a sense of entitlement that would make a Cork man blush with shame.
And still they wonder why we hate them.
Well, if you're looking for a good example, how about Celtic fans' web message board, the huddleboard.com, which has really been covering itself in glory -- by gloating over the murder of those two soldiers in Northern Ireland.
After one fan posted a picture of a gun made out of pizza dough, another posted: "Dominos Special Offer for British Soldiers. Buy one pizza, get a second topped for free. Apparently, they are making a killing."
The website refused to remove the comments, saying they don't censor or editorialise.
Which is fair enough -- but will any of these brave Celtic fans dare to drop by the Massereene Barracks to share their sophisticated wit with the grieving squaddies?"
Written by Ian O'Doherty from Irish Independent
"Second only to Scousers, Celtic fans carry more chips on their shoulder than a branch of McDonald's.
Quick to express any sense of offence, they exhibit a sense of entitlement that would make a Cork man blush with shame.
And still they wonder why we hate them.
Well, if you're looking for a good example, how about Celtic fans' web message board, the huddleboard.com, which has really been covering itself in glory -- by gloating over the murder of those two soldiers in Northern Ireland.
After one fan posted a picture of a gun made out of pizza dough, another posted: "Dominos Special Offer for British Soldiers. Buy one pizza, get a second topped for free. Apparently, they are making a killing."
The website refused to remove the comments, saying they don't censor or editorialise.
Which is fair enough -- but will any of these brave Celtic fans dare to drop by the Massereene Barracks to share their sophisticated wit with the grieving squaddies?"
Celtic yobs in sick taunts
By GERRY DUFFY
http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/news/article2311845.ece
SICK Celtic fans sparked fury by mocking the execution of two hero soldiers on a supporters’ website.
Yobs on unofficial Hoops page the Huddleboard made vile ‘jokes’ about the killings of sappers Mark Quinsey, 23, and Patrick Azimkar, 21, at the Massereene barracks at Antrim.
The brave pair were killed as they shielded two pizza delivery workers.
Vile
But one twisted nut even posted a picture of a pizza shaped like a gun and made a string of vile ‘gags’ about the atrocity.
And a fan — with the username McFly — posted the message: “Dominos Special Offer for British Soldiers. Buy one pizza, get a second topped for free. Apparently they are making a killing.”
Another sicko added: “It was goodfellas that delivered instead.”
But the insults angered fellow fans on the site. One wrote: “Pretty childish, and exactly what people who dislike Celtic in Ireland point toward when they are slagging the club... somewhat embarrassing actually.”
Last night Army chiefs said they were “saddened” by the slurs.
A spokesman said: “We are extremely saddened that anyone would take the killing of two young men so lightly as to make fun of the incident on the internet.
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“This is not a matter to be laughed about. I’m sure those who are making these jokes would not find it so funny had their own loved ones been hurt or killed.”
Celtic also hit out at the yobs. A spokesman said: “We utterly condemn violence and sectarianism in any form.”
No one from the Huddleboard was available for comment.
http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/news/article2311845.ece
SICK Celtic fans sparked fury by mocking the execution of two hero soldiers on a supporters’ website.
Yobs on unofficial Hoops page the Huddleboard made vile ‘jokes’ about the killings of sappers Mark Quinsey, 23, and Patrick Azimkar, 21, at the Massereene barracks at Antrim.
The brave pair were killed as they shielded two pizza delivery workers.
Vile
But one twisted nut even posted a picture of a pizza shaped like a gun and made a string of vile ‘gags’ about the atrocity.
And a fan — with the username McFly — posted the message: “Dominos Special Offer for British Soldiers. Buy one pizza, get a second topped for free. Apparently they are making a killing.”
Another sicko added: “It was goodfellas that delivered instead.”
But the insults angered fellow fans on the site. One wrote: “Pretty childish, and exactly what people who dislike Celtic in Ireland point toward when they are slagging the club... somewhat embarrassing actually.”
Last night Army chiefs said they were “saddened” by the slurs.
A spokesman said: “We are extremely saddened that anyone would take the killing of two young men so lightly as to make fun of the incident on the internet.
Advertisement
“This is not a matter to be laughed about. I’m sure those who are making these jokes would not find it so funny had their own loved ones been hurt or killed.”
Celtic also hit out at the yobs. A spokesman said: “We utterly condemn violence and sectarianism in any form.”
No one from the Huddleboard was available for comment.
Celtic fan posed online as 18 year-old to get young girls to strip on webcam
http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/Published Date: 10 March 2009
A MIDDLE-AGED man posed as a teenage boy to lure young girls into internet friendships before begging them to strip in front of a webcam.
Paul Quinn, 41, managed to convince one 15-year-old to take her clothes off and begged another aged 16 to do the same.
Although the girls had never seen him, one was able to identify him by a Celtic FC tattoo he boasted about.
And when police raided his Midlothian home they found a huge haul of child pornography on his computers – including video clips saved from the girls' webcams.
Today at Edinburgh Sheriff Court Quinn admitted possession of indecent photographs of children.
He also admitted making indecent pictures as well as two charges relating to pestering the two youngsters.
Fiscal depute Melanie Ward told the court how Quinn signed up to a social networking website and designed a fake profile for himself in September 2007.
She said he claimed his name was Paul Wilson and that he was aged just 18 years old.
Under this bogus identity he struck-up friendships with teenage girls before asking them to strip in front of webcams.
Miss Ward said: "On a number of occasions he asked her to remove her clothing.
"He did not show her who he was and having been repeatedly asked to do so, although she was very uncomfortable she did on one occasion do it (strip)."
Disturbed, the young girl came forward to police after becoming concerned at the demands he was making of her.
Although Quinn had never told the girl his real name or his age, Miss Ward said the youngster had learned certain information about him which helped police to identify him.
She said this included a Celtic tattoo on his arm.
Miss Ward said police were able to trace Quinn and in November last year they raided his Windsor Square home in Penicuik.
A total of four hard drives were seized and examined and officers found 553 still images of children aged between six and 10 years old, as well as 85 video clips.
Some of the files recovered were rated at the highest level on the scale police use to measure depravity.
And some of the clips turned out to be his internet encounters with youngsters.
Miss Ward added: "Some of the items were in fact created by him through his webcam and these are him having direct contact with persons under the age of 16."
His solicitor, Nigel Bruce, said his client was not "grooming" the girls and did not intend to meet them.
He added that Quinn, who was previously jailed over similar offences, insists he has a "problem" that needs to be dealt with.
Sheriff Elizabeth Jarvie QC deferred sentence for background reports and Quinn will return to court next month.
Quinn was placed on the sex offenders register and held in custody after no application for bail was made.
A MIDDLE-AGED man posed as a teenage boy to lure young girls into internet friendships before begging them to strip in front of a webcam.
Paul Quinn, 41, managed to convince one 15-year-old to take her clothes off and begged another aged 16 to do the same.
Although the girls had never seen him, one was able to identify him by a Celtic FC tattoo he boasted about.
And when police raided his Midlothian home they found a huge haul of child pornography on his computers – including video clips saved from the girls' webcams.
Today at Edinburgh Sheriff Court Quinn admitted possession of indecent photographs of children.
He also admitted making indecent pictures as well as two charges relating to pestering the two youngsters.
Fiscal depute Melanie Ward told the court how Quinn signed up to a social networking website and designed a fake profile for himself in September 2007.
She said he claimed his name was Paul Wilson and that he was aged just 18 years old.
Under this bogus identity he struck-up friendships with teenage girls before asking them to strip in front of webcams.
Miss Ward said: "On a number of occasions he asked her to remove her clothing.
"He did not show her who he was and having been repeatedly asked to do so, although she was very uncomfortable she did on one occasion do it (strip)."
Disturbed, the young girl came forward to police after becoming concerned at the demands he was making of her.
Although Quinn had never told the girl his real name or his age, Miss Ward said the youngster had learned certain information about him which helped police to identify him.
She said this included a Celtic tattoo on his arm.
Miss Ward said police were able to trace Quinn and in November last year they raided his Windsor Square home in Penicuik.
A total of four hard drives were seized and examined and officers found 553 still images of children aged between six and 10 years old, as well as 85 video clips.
Some of the files recovered were rated at the highest level on the scale police use to measure depravity.
And some of the clips turned out to be his internet encounters with youngsters.
Miss Ward added: "Some of the items were in fact created by him through his webcam and these are him having direct contact with persons under the age of 16."
His solicitor, Nigel Bruce, said his client was not "grooming" the girls and did not intend to meet them.
He added that Quinn, who was previously jailed over similar offences, insists he has a "problem" that needs to be dealt with.
Sheriff Elizabeth Jarvie QC deferred sentence for background reports and Quinn will return to court next month.
Quinn was placed on the sex offenders register and held in custody after no application for bail was made.
MP question Celtic fans' IRA chanting
Is pro-IRA chanting a taboo subject for authorities? asks Spratt
South Belfast DUP MLA Jimmy Spratt has expressed his disappointment at the response from SPL Chairman Lex Gold to concerns he had about sectarian chants at a recent Celtic game and is now raising the matter with Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond. During a game on 2 November, several instances of sectarian chanting could be heard emanating from the Glasgow Celtic support. Commenting, Mr Spratt said:
"Having heard several pro-IRA chants from Glasgow Celtic supporters during live TV coverage of their teams recent game versus Hearts, I wrote to the Chairman of the SPL, Lex Gold, outlining my disgust at what I had heard and asking what specific action he intended to take to address pro-IRA chanting.
Having received his response, I must say I am considerably underwhelmed at how the SPL intend to deal with this specific example of sectarianism in football. While I appreciate that the SPL have certain rules designed to address unacceptable conduct, and welcome that being the case, the fact that Mr. Gold chooses to shy away from dealing with this specific matter of pro-IRA chanting is regrettable.
In recent weeks much has been made in the media and by the authorities surrounding the so called ‘Famine Song’. Surely the media and authorities should be making specific reference to pro-IRA chanting, as in essence it is the glorification of a terrorist organisation who murdered over 1800 people in the course of a campaign which had sectarianism at its very core. By refraining from doing so, certain sections of the media, and authorities, only deepen the suspicion held by many that pro-IRA chanting by Celtic supporters is a taboo subject to which a blind eye is repeatedly turned.
I condemn any form of sectarian singing, regardless of who it emanates from. What is clear though is that there is a continuing problem with sectarianism among Glasgow Celtic supporters who glorify the IRA through chants and songs.
Due to the seriousness of the problem I have pressed Mr Gold to outline specific action he intends to take to highlight this particular problem, and have again raised it with the Scottish First Minister Alec Salmond. It is times for real action on this matter and I would urge those in positions of authority to make clear it will not be tolerated."
South Belfast DUP MLA Jimmy Spratt has expressed his disappointment at the response from SPL Chairman Lex Gold to concerns he had about sectarian chants at a recent Celtic game and is now raising the matter with Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond. During a game on 2 November, several instances of sectarian chanting could be heard emanating from the Glasgow Celtic support. Commenting, Mr Spratt said:
"Having heard several pro-IRA chants from Glasgow Celtic supporters during live TV coverage of their teams recent game versus Hearts, I wrote to the Chairman of the SPL, Lex Gold, outlining my disgust at what I had heard and asking what specific action he intended to take to address pro-IRA chanting.
Having received his response, I must say I am considerably underwhelmed at how the SPL intend to deal with this specific example of sectarianism in football. While I appreciate that the SPL have certain rules designed to address unacceptable conduct, and welcome that being the case, the fact that Mr. Gold chooses to shy away from dealing with this specific matter of pro-IRA chanting is regrettable.
In recent weeks much has been made in the media and by the authorities surrounding the so called ‘Famine Song’. Surely the media and authorities should be making specific reference to pro-IRA chanting, as in essence it is the glorification of a terrorist organisation who murdered over 1800 people in the course of a campaign which had sectarianism at its very core. By refraining from doing so, certain sections of the media, and authorities, only deepen the suspicion held by many that pro-IRA chanting by Celtic supporters is a taboo subject to which a blind eye is repeatedly turned.
I condemn any form of sectarian singing, regardless of who it emanates from. What is clear though is that there is a continuing problem with sectarianism among Glasgow Celtic supporters who glorify the IRA through chants and songs.
Due to the seriousness of the problem I have pressed Mr Gold to outline specific action he intends to take to highlight this particular problem, and have again raised it with the Scottish First Minister Alec Salmond. It is times for real action on this matter and I would urge those in positions of authority to make clear it will not be tolerated."
Celtic pitch invader gets jail term and ban
The Scotsman
Published Date: 22 November 2008
By CLARE BAILLIE
A TEENAGE pitch invader who disrupted play during Celtic's Champions League match against Manchester United has been jailed for six months.
John Murphy, 18, was also banned from national and international football matches for five years, one of the longest such orders imposed in Scotland.
Play had to be stopped during the first half when Murphy, from Glasgow, went on to the pitch during the clash at Celtic Park on 5 November.
Murphy, a Celtic fan, admitted breaching the peace and being drunk in a sports ground when he appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court earlier this month.
Last Thursday, Celtic were fined £42,430 by Uefa for the invasion and for the late start to the game, which ended 1-1.
Sentencing Murphy yesterday, Sheriff Linda Ruxton branded his behaviour "dangerous and irresponsible".
She said: "You interrupted a high-profile match and created a situation which might easily have provoked serious public disorder.
"Furthermore, you brought Scottish football generally and Celtic Football Club in particular into disrepute and your behaviour caused the club to be fined a substantial amount."
Defence agent Eddie Robertson said his client had been given a ticket to the match by a friend and was not a Celtic season ticket holder.
He said Murphy had been drinking since about 11am on the day of the game and could not remember anything of the incident. He said his client had written to Celtic Football Club to apologise for his behaviour.
Published Date: 22 November 2008
By CLARE BAILLIE
A TEENAGE pitch invader who disrupted play during Celtic's Champions League match against Manchester United has been jailed for six months.
John Murphy, 18, was also banned from national and international football matches for five years, one of the longest such orders imposed in Scotland.
Play had to be stopped during the first half when Murphy, from Glasgow, went on to the pitch during the clash at Celtic Park on 5 November.
Murphy, a Celtic fan, admitted breaching the peace and being drunk in a sports ground when he appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court earlier this month.
Last Thursday, Celtic were fined £42,430 by Uefa for the invasion and for the late start to the game, which ended 1-1.
Sentencing Murphy yesterday, Sheriff Linda Ruxton branded his behaviour "dangerous and irresponsible".
She said: "You interrupted a high-profile match and created a situation which might easily have provoked serious public disorder.
"Furthermore, you brought Scottish football generally and Celtic Football Club in particular into disrepute and your behaviour caused the club to be fined a substantial amount."
Defence agent Eddie Robertson said his client had been given a ticket to the match by a friend and was not a Celtic season ticket holder.
He said Murphy had been drinking since about 11am on the day of the game and could not remember anything of the incident. He said his client had written to Celtic Football Club to apologise for his behaviour.
Celtic fans in mass brawl
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/north_east/7746524.stm
Men banned after football fight
Aberdeen Sheriff Court
The fight after the game landed the men in court
Four men involved in a mass brawl after a televised match between Aberdeen and Celtic have been banned from football grounds for a total of seven years.
Hugh Fraser, Kevin Allan, Grant Molloy and Stephen Rodgers were involved in a fight outside Aberdeen's Gordon Hotel.
Fraser, of Stonehaven, Allan, of Cambuslang, Molloy, of Yoker, and Rodgers, of Bathgate, admitted breach of the peace.
They also received community service orders at Aberdeen Sheriff Court.
Celtic supporters Fraser, 21, Allan, 22, and Molloy, 21, were each banned from games for two years and given 180 hours of community service after the incident involving dozens of rival fans outside the hotel in Wellington Road in February last year.
'Blackened name'
Rodgers, 22, was banned for one year and given 140 hours of community service.
Sheriff David Hall told them: "Your behaviour was nothing short of disgraceful.
"The public are rightfully concerned with regards to groups of males such as yourselves causing public disorder.
"You all purport to be supporters of Glasgow Celtic Football Club, clearly this event blackened their name."
A fifth man who admitted breach of the peace, Alexander Holland, 24, of Hamilton, had his sentence deferred until December.
Aberdeen lost the game 2-1 to Celtic at Pittodrie.
Men banned after football fight
Aberdeen Sheriff Court
The fight after the game landed the men in court
Four men involved in a mass brawl after a televised match between Aberdeen and Celtic have been banned from football grounds for a total of seven years.
Hugh Fraser, Kevin Allan, Grant Molloy and Stephen Rodgers were involved in a fight outside Aberdeen's Gordon Hotel.
Fraser, of Stonehaven, Allan, of Cambuslang, Molloy, of Yoker, and Rodgers, of Bathgate, admitted breach of the peace.
They also received community service orders at Aberdeen Sheriff Court.
Celtic supporters Fraser, 21, Allan, 22, and Molloy, 21, were each banned from games for two years and given 180 hours of community service after the incident involving dozens of rival fans outside the hotel in Wellington Road in February last year.
'Blackened name'
Rodgers, 22, was banned for one year and given 140 hours of community service.
Sheriff David Hall told them: "Your behaviour was nothing short of disgraceful.
"The public are rightfully concerned with regards to groups of males such as yourselves causing public disorder.
"You all purport to be supporters of Glasgow Celtic Football Club, clearly this event blackened their name."
A fifth man who admitted breach of the peace, Alexander Holland, 24, of Hamilton, had his sentence deferred until December.
Aberdeen lost the game 2-1 to Celtic at Pittodrie.
Celtic fan was IRA terrorist
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/woman/real_life/article2116482.ece
By OLIVER HARVEY
Chief Feature Writer, in Dublin
Published: 10 Jan 2009
WITH her woolly Celtic FC hat pulled down over her greying hair, Rose Dugdale seems typical of the pensioners braving the cold on her drab Dublin housing estate.
It is only when the elderly mother’s voice slips into an upper-class English accent that she reveals another life lived.
For the 67-year-old in the scruffy jacket and combat trousers is English heiress Dr Bridget Rose Dugdale — who became an IRA terrorist, art heist mastermind and the world’s most wanted woman.
When The Sun tracked down the former debutante to her modest, pebble-dashed Dublin semi, the one-time Provo bandit queen snapped in a posh accent: “Clear off, right. I’m not answering questions.”
It is hardly surprising the woman her neighbours know simply as Rose declined to talk about the past. It was 35 years ago this April the millionaire’s daughter and her IRA pals were behind the biggest art heist the world had ever seen.
The four-strong gang pistol-whipped Sir Alfred Beit at his stately home 20 miles south of Dublin and made off with 19 Old Masters then worth £8million.
With her Provo lover Eddie Gallagher, Dugdale also hijacked a helicopter and dropped bombs in milk churns as it hovered over a police station in Northern Ireland. They failed to go off.
Her journey from English society rose to Irish fighting rebel was the ultimate act of revolt for a daughter of The Establishment.
Dugdale was brought up on a rambling country estate, went to finishing school and as a debutante was “presented” to the Queen.
Yet on April 26, 1974, the pampered rich girl who once had a governess and a trust fund became the world’s most wanted fugitive. It was a warm spring night and about 9.30pm when Dugdale knocked on the door of Russborough House, County Wicklow, home of diamond magnate Sir Alfred Beit.
Adopting a French accent and in a black wig and make-up, she said her silver Ford Cortina had broken down. Seconds later she was joined by three men brandishing revolvers.
Beit was hit on his head with a gun and he and wife Clementine were tied up with stockings in the library. The gang stole historic paintings by Gainsborough, Rubens, Goya and Vermeer.
The first member of the Irish police force, or Gardai, at the scene was young Sergeant Sean Feeley.
Now 64, he exclusively told The Sun: “Dugdale was in charge, telling the gang which pictures to take. She pointed up at the walls and said, ‘That one, that one’. She had been in the house before as a guest.
“Sir Alfred was the first person I met. He had blood streaming out of the back of his head where he had been hit by a gun.”
Sean said the Provos had welcomed Dugdale despite her Establishment background after she proved herself a daring operator.
He added: “Despite being an English heiress, the IRA took her on board. Four weeks earlier she had taken part in a bombing from a helicopter.” The art thieves demanded the release of sisters Dolours and Marian Price, jailed for their part in an IRA bombing, plus £500,000 in exchange for their haul.
After eight days a massive hunt led the Gardai to a rented cottage in Glandore, County Cork, where they found Dugdale — and the paintings.
She was arrested, charged and later sentenced to nine years jail after pleading “proudly and incorruptibly guilty” in court.
She also got a nine-year concurrent sentence for helping to hijack the helicopter for the police station raid.
Dugdale was pregnant with her terrorist lover Gallagher’s child. He and accomplice Marian Coyle kidnapped Dutch industrialist Dr Tiede Herrema and demanded the release of Dugdale and two other terrorists.
The kidnappers were traced to a house in Monasterevin, County Kildare, and a two-week siege began.
Gallagher — who had held a gun to Herrema’s head — finally gave himself up and was sentenced to 20 years. On January 24, 1978 Dugdale and Gallagher were married in the chapel of Limerick Prison as three-year-old son Ruairi looked on. The newlyweds were allowed a five-hour honeymoon inside one of the cells before the groom was returned to the maximum-security prison at Portlaoise, 60 miles away.
Dugdale was released in 1980 after serving six years of her sentence.
Gallagher left prison in 1990 but after 14 years inside their relationship didn’t survive.
Today the ex-kidnapper runs a hostel and stables in his hometown of Ballybofey, County Donegal.
A police source told The Sun: “The last we heard the couple’s son Ruairi was in Holland.”
Dugdale’s crime spree was a world away from the privilege of her upper-class upbringing.
Born in 1941, her father Lieutenant Colonel Eric Dugdale ran a successful syndicate at insurers Lloyd’s. Her mother Caroline came from a wealthy family who made their money in cotton. The family home — Dugdale had an older sister and younger brother — was a 600-acre farm near Axminster, Devon. They also owned a Georgian townhouse in London’s Chelsea where Dugdale was looked after by a French governess.
Dugdale admits her childhood was “very, very happy”. School was Miss Ironside’s — a private academy for ladies in London. Later she attended finishing school in Europe.
In 1958 she was one of the last of the debutantes — where upper-class girls were “presented” to the Queen before being launched into the four-month “season” of glittering balls in the hope of snaring a rich husband.
The lavish season cost today’s equivalent of £120,000 and provoked rebellion from Dugdale.
She later described her coming out ball as “one of those pornographic affairs which cost what 60 old-age pensioners receive in six months”.
A picture from that time at St Anne’s College, Oxford University, shows an attractive woman, her styled blonde hair tucked under her mortar board, with piercing eyes and a gleaming smile.
She later became a Doctor of Philosophy after studying in the US and London University and became a government economist. In 1972 she met ex Guardsman and petty criminal Wally Heaton, who described himself as a “revolutionary socialist”. The two made frequent trips together to Northern Ireland, to march in political demonstrations.
Dugdale had finally found her cause. She knew that on the night of June 6, 1973, her parents would be away from their Devon estate.
With Heaton she stole paintings and antiques worth £82,000.
She was caught and got a two-year suspended sentence. At her trial Dugdale told her father: “I love you, daddy, but I hate everything you stand for.”
Today she lives in a two-bedroom semi and drives a 15-year-old Toyota.
Neighbour William Rothwell, 76, said last night: “Of course we know who she is but we don’t exactly ask her how the art world is doing. She’s very friendly and well-liked.”
Dugdale is involved with Dublin Community Television and her enthusiasm for the Irish Republican cause seems undimmed.
Speaking to back a motion at a 2007 Sinn Fein conference she said with a slip of the tongue: “I’m here in support of the revolution — I mean the resolution.”
Stomping round yesterday in her thick-soled boots, it seems the renegade debutante is still rebelling.
Celtic fan in the dock for armed robbery
http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/1048430?UserKey=
By Jamie Buchan
Press & Journal
Published: 27/01/2009
A Celtic fan accused of trying to rob a north-east grocery store with a knife claimed he was at home that night watching his team on TV, a trial heard yesterday.
Steven Cassie described the match to police, telling them Celtic had won 1-0 and even named the scorer but detectives told him that Rangers, not Celtic, had been playing that night.
Cassie, 27, of 7 Arisaig Drive, Fraserburgh, is accused of attempting to rob the Spar in the town’s St Modan’s Place on January 31 last year.
He denies the charge at Peterhead Sheriff Court.
A jury of nine women and six men heard that Cassie told police he had mostly spent the night of the alleged crime at the house he shared with Christopher Slater.
Giving evidence on day two of the trial, Sergeant David Crowther, of Grampian Police, said Cassie was “adamant” during an interview that he had been watching Celtic.
Cassie also told the former detective constable that he had left the house at about 6.30pm to visit his mother, Gloria Dimmock. When police called her to check, she said it was after 9pm before he came.
The jury heard that at about 8.40pm, a man wearing a hood and hiding his face with a scarf, walked into the Spar and demanded money from a shop assistant.
One employee told the court she thought the would-be robber was tanned and possibly Asian or Chinese.
Sgt Crowther said that on the store’s CCTV, the raider could be seen wearing a light, checked shirt under a blue sports jacket. He said police found a similar shirt at Cassie’s home, but no jacket.
They also seized six knives in a kitchen cutlery drawer, but witnesses in the shop said they could not identify any of them as the one that was used by the masked man.
Cassie’s housemate, Mr Slater, initially told police that he had stayed at home with Cassie that night. When police told him he had been spotted in a lane near the shop that evening, he admitted he was there with Cassie.
He told police that Cassie had been planning to rob a drug dealer, but the dealer never showed up. He then went home, leaving Cassie standing in the lane.
In the witness box yesterday, Mr Slater, 39, said he could only “vaguely remember” the police interview. He said his memory had been hampered by a drink and drug problem. Asked if he lied to police, he told fiscal depute Felicity Primrose: “I might have done. I would have sold my soul to get out of the police station.”
After being shown film of the interview, when he told police Cassie was going to rob the drug dealer “because that’s the kind of guy he is”, Mr Slater said: “I’m shocked and sickened by that answer. Who am I to say that about anybody?”
The trial, before Sheriff Marysia Lewis, continues.
By Jamie Buchan
Press & Journal
Published: 27/01/2009
A Celtic fan accused of trying to rob a north-east grocery store with a knife claimed he was at home that night watching his team on TV, a trial heard yesterday.
Steven Cassie described the match to police, telling them Celtic had won 1-0 and even named the scorer but detectives told him that Rangers, not Celtic, had been playing that night.
Cassie, 27, of 7 Arisaig Drive, Fraserburgh, is accused of attempting to rob the Spar in the town’s St Modan’s Place on January 31 last year.
He denies the charge at Peterhead Sheriff Court.
A jury of nine women and six men heard that Cassie told police he had mostly spent the night of the alleged crime at the house he shared with Christopher Slater.
Giving evidence on day two of the trial, Sergeant David Crowther, of Grampian Police, said Cassie was “adamant” during an interview that he had been watching Celtic.
Cassie also told the former detective constable that he had left the house at about 6.30pm to visit his mother, Gloria Dimmock. When police called her to check, she said it was after 9pm before he came.
The jury heard that at about 8.40pm, a man wearing a hood and hiding his face with a scarf, walked into the Spar and demanded money from a shop assistant.
One employee told the court she thought the would-be robber was tanned and possibly Asian or Chinese.
Sgt Crowther said that on the store’s CCTV, the raider could be seen wearing a light, checked shirt under a blue sports jacket. He said police found a similar shirt at Cassie’s home, but no jacket.
They also seized six knives in a kitchen cutlery drawer, but witnesses in the shop said they could not identify any of them as the one that was used by the masked man.
Cassie’s housemate, Mr Slater, initially told police that he had stayed at home with Cassie that night. When police told him he had been spotted in a lane near the shop that evening, he admitted he was there with Cassie.
He told police that Cassie had been planning to rob a drug dealer, but the dealer never showed up. He then went home, leaving Cassie standing in the lane.
In the witness box yesterday, Mr Slater, 39, said he could only “vaguely remember” the police interview. He said his memory had been hampered by a drink and drug problem. Asked if he lied to police, he told fiscal depute Felicity Primrose: “I might have done. I would have sold my soul to get out of the police station.”
After being shown film of the interview, when he told police Cassie was going to rob the drug dealer “because that’s the kind of guy he is”, Mr Slater said: “I’m shocked and sickened by that answer. Who am I to say that about anybody?”
The trial, before Sheriff Marysia Lewis, continues.
Celtic fan jailed for drug smuggling
In February Celtic fan McAdam, 41 – on bail pending the outcome of his appeal against conviction – begged judges to give him his passport back so that he could follow his team to Barcelona for a crucial Champions League match.
His request was turned down.
A BUSINESSMAN who helped smuggle a multi-million pound consignment of cocaine into Scotland had his jail sentence cut by two years – because he has faced years of worry in prison.
James Mair, 43, from Cumnock ran a transport business which played a key part in the plan to import half a tonne of the drug, with a street value of £24.7 million.
But defence QC Gordon Jackson told appeal judges in Edinburgh that Mair was “just a courier” and that his 18 year jail term was too long.
“I am not suggesting it is not a serious thing to be,” he said.
He went on: “But he is not the person who has control, the main drug dealer.”
Lord Clarke, sitting with Lord Penrose, disagreed.
But the judges also heard that Mair’s appeal had been held up because another man – also jailed for 18 years – is still trying to challenge his conviction.
Mair had faced many years of uncertainty, said Mr Jackson.
The judges agreed and cut Mair’s sentence to 16 years because of the “very significant time” he had waited to discover what his jail term would be.
The trial in 2003 heard that the cocaine was hidden in bales of raw rubber shipped from Panama and backed by bogus faxes to account for the importation, using the name of Mair’s company.
Customs officers, suspicious because of the unusual nature of the cargo, discovered the cocaine, swapped it for sand, then followed the consignment before making arrests.
Mair and William Grant from Bothwell, Lanarkshire, were jailed for 18 years.
Two accomplices who played lesser roles were also jailed.
David Frew from Kilmarnock was sentenced to 12 years and Sean McAdam, also from Kilmarnock, was jailed for 10 years.
His request was turned down.
A BUSINESSMAN who helped smuggle a multi-million pound consignment of cocaine into Scotland had his jail sentence cut by two years – because he has faced years of worry in prison.
James Mair, 43, from Cumnock ran a transport business which played a key part in the plan to import half a tonne of the drug, with a street value of £24.7 million.
But defence QC Gordon Jackson told appeal judges in Edinburgh that Mair was “just a courier” and that his 18 year jail term was too long.
“I am not suggesting it is not a serious thing to be,” he said.
He went on: “But he is not the person who has control, the main drug dealer.”
Lord Clarke, sitting with Lord Penrose, disagreed.
But the judges also heard that Mair’s appeal had been held up because another man – also jailed for 18 years – is still trying to challenge his conviction.
Mair had faced many years of uncertainty, said Mr Jackson.
The judges agreed and cut Mair’s sentence to 16 years because of the “very significant time” he had waited to discover what his jail term would be.
The trial in 2003 heard that the cocaine was hidden in bales of raw rubber shipped from Panama and backed by bogus faxes to account for the importation, using the name of Mair’s company.
Customs officers, suspicious because of the unusual nature of the cargo, discovered the cocaine, swapped it for sand, then followed the consignment before making arrests.
Mair and William Grant from Bothwell, Lanarkshire, were jailed for 18 years.
Two accomplices who played lesser roles were also jailed.
David Frew from Kilmarnock was sentenced to 12 years and Sean McAdam, also from Kilmarnock, was jailed for 10 years.
Footballer attacked by Celtic fans
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/rangers/4627244.stm
Rangers striker Peter Lovenkrands claims he has been attacked twice by Celtic supporters.
The Dane, who is out of contract in the summer, also revealed that he now refuses to go out in Glasgow alone.
Lovenkrands, who has scored 10 goals in eight games, told The Sun: "I've twice been hit by Celtic fans when going out having fun.
"If I want to go out, I never go alone. Most of the time I have one of my Scottish friends, Matt, with me."
Lovenkrands says he will only go out in public with his "minder" by his side.
"He is my Scottish shadow and he's helped me with good advice about where to go and not to go at certain times," he said.
Lovenkrands is currently considering his future at Rangers, with clubs in England and the Continent showing interest.
Rangers striker Peter Lovenkrands claims he has been attacked twice by Celtic supporters.
The Dane, who is out of contract in the summer, also revealed that he now refuses to go out in Glasgow alone.
Lovenkrands, who has scored 10 goals in eight games, told The Sun: "I've twice been hit by Celtic fans when going out having fun.
"If I want to go out, I never go alone. Most of the time I have one of my Scottish friends, Matt, with me."
Lovenkrands says he will only go out in public with his "minder" by his side.
"He is my Scottish shadow and he's helped me with good advice about where to go and not to go at certain times," he said.
Lovenkrands is currently considering his future at Rangers, with clubs in England and the Continent showing interest.
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