Parcel bombs sent to Celtic boss

Published Tuesday, 19 April 2011
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A major police investigation is underway after parcel bombs were sent to Celtic manager Neil Lennon, a lawyer and a politician, Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond has confirmed.

The parcels, which Strathclyde Police say were "designed to cause harm", were sent to Lurgan-born Lennon, Paul McBride QC - who has represented Lennon at Hampden during his dispute with the SFA - and Labour politician Trish Godman.

The packages were intercepted in March and April.

They were initially thought to be hoax packages but analysis has revealed that they were viable.

These disgraceful events should remind all of us who love the game of football of what unites us as a community.

Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond

Mr Salmond said: "Let us be quite clear - there is a major police investigation under way to ensure that the individual or individuals concerned are identified and apprehended, and then brought to book with the full force of the law.

"We will not tolerate this sort of criminality in Scotland, and as an indication of the seriousness with which we view these developments the Cabinet sub-committee met last Saturday to ensure that the police investigation has every possible support to come to a successful conclusion. We are confident that this will be the case.

"It is time to remember what we value in society, and unite to condemn those who use football as a pretext for their pathetic and dangerous prejudices."

The Scottish Labour Leader Iain Gray said the parcel-bombs were made by "back-ward thinking terrorists."

"This is not about football. This is an act of sectarianism and there should be absolutely no place for it in Scotland in the 21st century."

It is understood police have now offered safety advice to the intended recipients of the packages as well as to Royal Mail staff and workers in the mail room at Celtic.

Earlier this year packages containing bullets were sent to Lennon and to Celtic players Paddy McCourt and Niall McGinn, all of whom are from Northern Ireland.

© UTV News
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23 Comments
Billy in Lisburn wrote (399 days ago):
@ Veritas. Would be the support who no later than last night sang the praises of mass murderers and the Club who refuse to ban them?
Veritas in Belfast wrote (399 days ago):
Rob-bit of a sweeping generalisation there. Let's not forget a QC and a former MSP were targeted as well so it's not just about Neil Lennon and more to do with Celtic Football Club and their support.
rob in Belfast wrote (400 days ago):
VERITAS - the man could start a row in an empty house , he certainaly started one with Ally. but that in NO way condones what happened .
Big Jonny in Carlow wrote (400 days ago):
As the Celtic Chairman said recently, "the days of sitting at the back of the bus are gone." The fenians are going nowhere. Get used to it. God bless Neil Lennon.
michaeld in Belfast wrote (400 days ago):
yeah right Smeato - Lennon has been tortured for ten years - this latest attempt on his life is the final straw something needs to be done about these rangers fans i see they were fined twice in two weeks by UEFA
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