I am posting this for information only, not to go over old ground. It seems a little like after the horse has bolted. I don't know that it is correct to say that the Irish in Scotland is who the legislation is aimed at but I am on board with the rest of it. Kevin Lynch was a keen sportsman who captained the Derry U-16's to their only ever national hurling title. He also played for Bedfordshire in England before returning home. The hurling club in Dungiven is named in his honour and Dungiven is a real GAA town. I suspect that Gerard Lynch is only nominally a Celtic fan as the legislation appears to be somewhat of a surprise to him, but nevertheless, an interesting statement. Gerard (Kevin's brother)Lynch's statement to the Fans Against Criminalisation meeting yesterday: I would like to thank the organisers for inviting me to speak at today's event. I sincerely appologise that due to circumstances beyond my control I could not attend. However, I would like to stress that the Lynch family fully support the campaign against the new legislation. 31 years ago my brother Kevin was preparing to go on hunger strike, a strike that would ultimately lead to his and 9 of his comrades deaths. They died as a direct result of the British government's policy of trying to criminalise the republican struggle for Irish freedom. Maggie Thatcher failed to criminalise our struggle and Alex Salmond will ultimately fail to criminalise Celtic fans for singing songs remembering that struggle. I should point out that I am a Celtic supporter and have travelled to Celtic Park on many occasions. On a recent trip to Parkhead, I was informed about this new legislation which a lot of supporters feel is aimed at the Irish in Scotland. I was also recently told of fans being arrested under the new legislation for singing the Roll of Honour, a song which commemorates my brother and his comrades. Songs like this do not glorify armed struggle, nor do they incite people to take part in armed struggle, nor do they glorify any death as a result of armed struggle. These songs simply remember brave men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice for Irish freedom. It is ironic that it is not an offence in Ireland or indeed any other country. Ireland has moved on now but never forgets her past. I would appeal to the Scottish government to allow the Irish in Scotland to remember the past without trying to criminalise them. In life they tried to criminalise the hungerstrikers, they failed. In death they are trying to criminalise them and people singing songs to remember them, they will fail again! Gerard Lynch
Under the tyranny of thatcher, back when football violence WAS a problem there was no crackdown like this Ultimately, this is why I fear for Scotland as an independent nation, our leaders are band wagon jumping morons....at least the English have experience of government and governance of those who disagree with them The SNP are on a crusade to promote Scotland as Pleasantville and woe betide anyone who gets out of line Anti Irish..not in spirit but definitely in practice Smile or die
They want to paper over the cracks of our issues - like minimum pricing on alcohol - rather than get deep down. ****in clueless ...Salmond, a man who left politics/the leadership of his party as they were going nowhere, suddenly comes back when enough teuchters started watching braveheart again!!
I do believe Braveheart has a lot to answer for, and I'm not joking. Mr T, your comments speak volumes for your lack of tolerance. It sounds like the ramblings of a Facist like the BNP or it could be a joke!
I wasn't being literal...hence I said "again". Though I do believe many ****s out there watch re-runs of braveheart to get all teary eyed about a fabled scotsman! Salmond only came back to the SNP leadership once "nationality" and "independence" started gaining favour with the electorate in Scotland. Salmond's message is jingoistic - and he's a smug ****!
As long as the ignorance and sectarianism pervades in the Central Belt "teuchters" get vote and I was born in England and hate Salmond and the SNP with a passion. Everyone is well aware of the Central Belters arrogance and intolerance. Sort yourselves out first before you have a go at others.
Independence is the only way we can make Scotland a great country again. We are amongst the poorest people within the British and Direish isles, when 20% of Scots don't live here, then you need to ask yourself - why is it so bad to live here? I've yet to see a valid reason for staying in the Union, the Unionist argument seems to centre on Military, Public Sector and that the Scots are too thick to run their own affairs. Negativity seems to be the reason for keeping the Status Quo. The only reason I can't fully endorse Independence is that the way the political landscape lies just now means that the left are heavily represented and I can't stand their idealistic views on things. Salmond is increasingly coming over as seriously smug though, and negative politics will ensure the Union will be preserved in 2014, but spare me all this ****e about the SNP and these stupid laws, regardless who won the election, they would have came in as the police need more work to preserve their cooshy life. And if you can't go to the football and not shout/sing offensive songs, then you deserve a spell in the slammer.
****ing hell, when did you suddenly become sensible EDGE in no longer able to wave the butchers apron at ibrox shocker
It happens sometimes. And compared to most other European Empires, the British one wasn't half as bloody as your Spanish/Portuguese/French ones, but that's for another day.
What and have all the money and power concentrated within the Central Belt? Get ****ed. And unlike RL, I still think you are a thick twat with a sorry excuse of a moustache.
Edge You posted something about making Scotland a great country again. Many of us would love to know when Scotland was a great country ?
Scotland was probably a grand wee country until they allowed the ulster/scots and the Irish to live in their country. The Scots joined up with the ulster/scots to make life unbearable for the Irish. Despite the passing of generations upon generations. Little has changed.
