Celtic fan accused of sectarian chanting after 'hun' abuse

http://www.donegalda...un-court-hears/

A JUDGE has adjourned the sentencing of a Celtic fan accused of sectarian chanting in Letterkenny in which he called a lone Rangers fan a ‘Hun’.

Edward McLoughlin, 20, from Ard Na Ri, Long Lane Letterkenny, was accused of threatening behaviour, failing to follow the direction of a Garda and being drunk in a public place.

Neither Judge Paul Kelly nor McLoughlin’s solicitor Frank Dorrian had heard of the ‘hun’ phrase before, they told the court.

Inspector Michael Harrison told the court that McLoughlin had been warned by Gardai about the use of sectarian language during the incident in Letterkenny on August 4 last year.

Mr Dorrian told Judge Kelly that Mr McLoughlin had a number of friends and “one of their pals had taken to wearing a Rangers shirt when they were out and about.”

The defence solicitor went on: “He (McLoughlin) was leading a sing-song; there was only one Rangers supporters there. Gardai intervened.

“I didn’t know myself what this reference was.”

He said his client, who is unemployed, had too much to drink on the night in question.

Judge Kelly warned the 20-year-old: “I don’t want to hear any more of that behaviour Mr McLoughlin.”

The accused man assured the judge that the incident would not be repeated.

Judge Kelly adjourned sentencing in the case until Jan 28 for reports “to see if he can behave himself over Christmas.”

Sectarian 'Hun' banned by Celtic (2001)

CELTIC have banned a popular term for their Ibrox rivals Rangers, warning fans they can no longer call them 'Huns'.

And while the move has been praised by many organisations, Celtic fans themselves say it is an example of political correctness gone too far.

The first fans knew of the ban was when some were thrown off the club's Internet site for using it.

The club has since revealed that any member of staff saying 'Hun' can face disciplinary action or sacked and fans may be asked to leave the ground if they use the word.

'Hun' has been used for years as a general insult for Rangers fans, but some groups have voiced concerns that it could be taken the wrong way, leading to Celtic's actions.

Celtic administrator John Cole said: "It's a word that can cause offence and at Celtic we don't want to be offending anyone, so we are asking that people who have a problem with this look at our social charter and other movements we are involved with."

A spokesman for the Church of Scotland said: "Anything that helps to combat bigotry is more than welcome and Celtic should be praised for it."

And Catholic Church spokesman Peter Cairney commented: "Celtic should be applauded for this move as it helps to remove barriers which cause offence."

A Celtic spokeswoman said: "We support the rights of the individual but will not tolerate behaviour or motivation that alienates others.

"All we ask is that people observe certain rules and ways of behaviour when associating themselves with Celtic."

But Celtic fans themselves see it as a political correct step too far.

Editor of the popular E-Tims fanzine Steve Clarke said: "Celtic, by their action, have managed to label practically every supporter a sectarian bigot."

http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-78017613.html