Celtic need to act decisively following McFarlane terror tribute display

DUP MP for East Londonderry, Gregory Campbell, and North Belfast DUP MLA Phillip Brett have called on Celtic Football Club to act against supporters who unveiled a tribute banner to convicted IRA man Brendan McFarlane during Celtic’s match versus Aberdeen last night in the Scottish Premier League.

Mr Brett has written to the Celtic FC Chairman and copied his correspondence to the Scottish FA and UEFA.

Mr Campbell has tabled a motion in Parliament highlighting this offensive banner and that an Economics Professor at Glasgow University applauded the banner.

By Gregory Campbell MP

East Londonderry

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Gregory Campbell said:

“The display at Celtic Football Club’s match against Aberdeen last night, where a banner was exhibited glorifying convicted IRA terrorist Brendan McFarlane, has caused great hurt and offence. This was an abhorrent act that disrespects the memory of his innocent victims and causes deep hurt to those who suffered at the hands of terrorism.

Brendan McFarlane was a cold-blooded terrorist, who was responsible for numerous murders, including the 1975 Bayardo Bar Massacre, where five innocent people were killed - among them 17-year-old Linda Boyle. He later led the 1983 Maze Prison escape, which resulted in the murder of a prison officer and injuries to others. That same year, McFarlane is widely believed to have been involved in the kidnapping of a supermarket executive, during which a Garda officer and a member of the Irish Defence Forces were killed.

Those Celtic supporters involved must be dealt with by the Club, and by the law, but so too should those who shared the display on social media, including a Professor at the University of Glasgow. Similar investigation must be made by University leaders and appropriate action taken.”

Phillip Brett said:

“That anyone with any sense of morality would seek to define such an individual as a hero is beyond comprehension, but given the display at their stadium, it is incumbent on Celtic Football Club to take immediate action. Those responsible for this disgraceful display must be identified, and Police Scotland should investigate the matter under the Terrorism Act 2006. The steps they take now will be a clear indication of how seriously they treat the hurt and offence caused to innocent victims of terror.

I have written to Celtic Football Club to express my revulsion, and the revulsion of the wider community of the Shankill, at this display and to demand that firm action be taken.

There can be no place in football, or in society, for the glorification of terrorism. We await evidence that Celtic Football Club will act decisively.”

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