Celtic fan cleared after singing pro-IRA song at match
A sheriff has cleared a Celtic fan of behaving in a manner likely to incite public disorder at a football match in Inverness by singing a pro-IRA song.
Calum Graham (21) of Riccarton Street, Glasgow was identified by two police witnesses from video footage screened in court at Inverness singing "The Roll of Honour" a pro-IRA song commemorating hunger strikers in Northern Ireland’s prisons in 1981.
The fan, who was attending a Caley-Thistle v Celtic match in Inverness on August 25 last year admitted in his evidence that he was one of a group of fans singing the song.
But he denied the charge that he behaved in an offensive manner likely to incite public disorder by singing songs in support of a terrorist organisation.
In evidence the court heard from two police witnesses who said Graham was one of two fans who were arrested at the game for singing the song. They were among a group of dozens of fans caught chanting the song on camera by officers drafted in from Glasgow.
Sheriff Margaret Neilson said she was satisfied the song could be considered offensive and that it was a song which supported a terrorist organisation.
But she said she found no evidence that the singing of the song by Graham was ‘likely to incite public disorder’.
"Parliament clearly has it in mind that you must pass this hurdle for it to be an offence.
"I have a certain sympathy with the police officers trying to deal with this legislation."
She said she was not satisfied the Crown has proved its case to the standard necessary to convict
Graham told the court in evidence he had no convictions and never been in trouble with police before.
He told his solicitor Duncan Henderson he had attended over 300 Celtic matches and regularly sang the song.
Asked if he had been aware of any difficulties before singing the song.
"No not at all," he replied, He said he was ‘shocked and quite upset’ when arrested by police.
He said after the case: "I’m relieved. The last ten months have been terrible and I’m glad it’s all over. "I will never sing the song again."
