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Celtic Diary Monday March 6: The Joy Of Six

Celtic beat a spirited and resolute St. Mirren side 4-1 to advance to the last four of the Scottish Cup. That means the club is only five wins away from a treble winning season, which would secure a sixth successive title, and due to the luck if the draw, there’s a possibility that new club “rangers ” will be firmly put in their place after six defeats to Celtic this season.

The joy of six. See what I did there ?

St mirren took the lead against Celtic after John Sutton rose above the defence to head the ball over to a surprised Harry Davies who simply tucked the ball beyond Craig gordon, who pointed around a bit before someone explained to him that every now and again he will have to try and catch one.

Fortunately he took this on board , and there were no further goals against him. There were a couple of hairy moments, but nothing the hand of fortune couldn’t help with when gordon’s hands were elsewhere.

As for the home side, St Mirren surprised a few by hardly ever kicking them, and referee Steven MacLean surprised all of us by not really leting them.

He could well be Scotlands most improved referee this season, I called short of calling him the best, because there isn’t one, but for all his family connections, thats a couple of good games he’s had now.

Credit where credits due.

Credit,  too, must go to Gary Mackay Steven, who seems to be the new Efe ambrose when it comes to that section of the support who like to have a scapegoat. Mackay Steven, making his fifth start of the campaign, tackled, ran and was on the end of a few chances that didnlt quite fall for him. It didn’t help he was out on the right, which isn’t his best side, and therefore he maybe fell short as he couldn;t get the ball onto his favoured left foot, the one that can kick a ball, but he still kept battling, still kept running and showed a hell of a lot more in the first half than anyone else did.

With Patrick Roberts about to return to Manchester, and the constant possibility that Scott sinclair will miss his wife and kids, those claiming Mackay Steven isn’t good enough need to be careful in what they wish for. He’s got a good heart, a good coach and a tremendous work ethic.

He just needs time, and hey, guess what else ?

A bit of support.

It wasn’t happening for him yesterday, though, and he was pulled off at half time, which probably didn’t displease him, but who am I to question Brendans methods ?

With the addition of Patrick Roberts, and then Leigh Griffiths, the new front four all scored a goal to set Celtic up with a trip to Hampden and another game against “rangers ” to help the plucky , cash strapped newcomers make it through the night.

So to speak.

After the game, and rightly do, manager Brendan Rodgers praised the Paisley underdogs who showed that they may be struggling just now, but they have plenty to take from what was one of the better performances by a team visiting Celtic Park this season.

“I have to give credit to St Mirren, I think they are the best team we have played domestically including Premiership teams.

“Jack has done an excellent job. They are very well coached and they made some signings in January which will have helped him. How they are bottom of the Championship I do not know.

“They are very well organised, they have a good idea of the game, they play with composure and they have speed and composure in their team.

“They are a very, very good side.” 

Jack Ross , the St Mirren manager , came in for some praise as well.. rightly…

 

“We played Alloa here so I have an idea of his coaching abilities. He’s a very good coach.

“There’s a couple of moments in games that make me think of the level of coach. It’s just an extra little detail that can define coaches and I seen that in his team today.” 

The game can be best summed up in pictures, pictures of Neil McCann, the Sky tv football expert…

Half time, St mirren 1, Celtic 0

Full time, Celtic 4, St mirren 1

Image result for ha ha

 

That reminds me. There was a cloud of smoke over Ibrox yesterday…

However, this is not how they traditionally announce a new leader over there, so there’s still no sign of a new manager. There won’t be one any time soon, now that three of his first set of games are against Celtic.

Certainly not before next weeks game, despite all the specualtion in the papers.

Rangers should do Pedro Caixinha a favour and tell him to start after

the Celtic game – Keith Jackson.

Which one ?

Pedro Caixinha, of course, is the guy who is curently working out in Qatar, and therefore some sort of new messianic coach.

Note his current employers will be seeking compensation, which probably rules him out of the running, despite the story that he will pay it himself, presumably as another soft loan to the Ibrox club.

If a new employer needs you to lend them money before you start, then perhaps he shoudl sit down and have a think about the move a little more deeply.

The fire above Ibrox, by the way, is actually at a scrapyard nearby, and as it blazed away yesterday, it was matched only by the ferocity of a South African chap who phoned a couple of buckfast ingesting teenagers to rant about how he didn’t mean “that fucking scrapyard “.

 

Charlie Richmond, the former referee, has publicly slated John “Billy Boy ” Beaton for his inexplicably piss poor performance in the “rangers ” -Hamilton match.  Alright, maybe I should have said “entirely predictable ” , instead of “inexplicable”.

Richmond, in the Daily Record, said;

Every now and again a refereeing performance comes along that takes the breath away and defies logic as well as belief.

Step forward John Beaton. Dear oh dear John.

I praised the whistler to the hilt after his display in the League Cup final involving Celtic and Aberdeen back in October.

However Saturday’s display at Ibrox saw John plummet as low as you can go as an official. 

Beaton did seem to have his own, unique interpretation of the rules, as we have seen.

However, not only has Richmond broken ranks here, there may be an agenda, and it may improve things. He also noted;

 

Finally I was speaking to a couple of referees during the week and some of the officials are not happy with the way that some are getting away with things and others aren’t.

Observers are contacting the SFA with regards to certain officials and querying all sorts of incidents.

The incident of mistaken identity when Hearts player Malaury Martin was booked by Andrew Dallas after the Motherwell player had clipped his own teammates heels at Fir Park is a case in point.

Had that been a younger referee in charge of his first Premiership game then he would have been slated for not being good enough at his job.

I can tell you that there is a wee bit of unrest in the refereeing fraternity because some are getting away with things that others may not be.

We all know that, but now its public, and it also appears that some referees are a little pissed off with it. might be worth following this story.

 

Yesterday , we gave you this picture..

and we got this explanation…

Steven R March 5, 2017 at 10:32 am · Edit · Reply →

caption : Lee Wallace’s first-class breakfast at Usedtobe Murray Park is now available at Ibrox, in a handy snack-sized box. 

Today…

bvfr

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7 years ago

Caption: at Ibrox, sevco are invited to showcase the updated version of the Nike Air Jordan shoe. This version will be called Nike Air Rossiter in honour or the footballing, ahem… genius, Jordan Rossiter.

BondiBrian
7 years ago
Reply to  Steven R

Surprise all around after David Murry’s first visit to Lourdes.

mike
7 years ago

Caption, Penis enhancement surgery, the joy of 6, is now almost comparable to the joy of sex, it takes your breath away and makes you 6inch longer.
Well done clip clop, the three legged pit pony.

Southside Tarrier
7 years ago

Caption. Two footed tackle training at murray park.

Leões de Lisboa
7 years ago

Caption:

Sevco practise four-footed tackles for upcoming games.

Monti
7 years ago

Caption: David Murray unveils the latest technology in footwear ‘ The floating running shoe’.
This works perfectly on your regular floating pitch.

7 years ago

Caption: Dave king’s statement to the board is taken out of context,statement read’s
No money left,forfeit all remaining games.

Monti
7 years ago

Noticed on ‘ Sportscene ‘ last night, no mention of any of the disgraceful decisions that landed in Sevco’s favour v Hamilton.
No mention of the keeper handling deliberately outside the box, no mention of Garners assault on the Accies player, or the soft penalty award to rrrraaaaanjjurrs???

But that googly eyed fuck Jonathan Sutherland managd tofind the time to say ” It’s been 92 years since Celtic beat ” rangers ” in a Scottish cup final.

My. T.V. housed on my living room wall was in clear danger at that point.

Monti
7 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Sorry, semi final.

maryhillbhoy
7 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Which would matter if Rangers hadn’t died but since they did its academic

Monti
7 years ago
Reply to  maryhillbhoy

It matters to me when you have a cunt perpetuating a myth….

maryhillbhoy
7 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Fair point Monti I stand corrected

mike
7 years ago
Reply to  Monti

You have the choice of buying a newspaper or not, but for a National Broadcaster to perpetuate the myth is disgusting. You must pay your license fee
so your choice is removed. I never watch Sportscene because of its bigoted reporting, its another example of, this, the best wee bigoted country in the world.
Beaton, is the new Dallas, a bigoted cheating cunt, Foderingham should have walked, Garner another cheating cunt should have walked, by issuing a yellow card to Garner he cannot be charged retrospectively but Foderingham could be.
Beaton and all his officials cheats one and all.

jimmybee
7 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Monti, only BT sport is worth watching concerning Scottish football. The BBC like the rest of the Masonic media,cannot stomach a strong Celtic.
Was there a Tommy Gemmell Spotlight on the programme?
Didn’t see it as I was travelling back down souf.
HH

Monti
7 years ago
Reply to  jimmybee

Jimmybee,
TG spotlight?
Fuck knows m8 i turned it off when that cunt Sutherland didn’t mention anything about the Sevco nonsense.
It really is a fucking joke m8
Hopefully we put 5 past these cunts on Sunday!

TicToc
7 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Monti, what about the 2nd half? 🙂
They, and their fans throughout the SMSM, need a fucking good tanking. We’re just the Bhoys to deliver it.
GIRFUT.
HH

desertbhoy
7 years ago

Caption.. Murty questions sevco defense… is this what you meant by a back four??

alternative option of 4-4-2 (four for two).

7 years ago

Joey Garners new boots. It means he doesn’t have to lift his leg as high to boot opponents in the Arse!

Brencelt
7 years ago

Celtic trial new footwear/shin pads in preparation for joe gardeners agricultural style of tackling.

mike
7 years ago

Oh I”ve been a mild drover for many a year,
and I spent all my money on Celtic to cheer,
but now I’m returning with the flu and cold store,
and I never will play an internet bore.

And its no nay never,
right up your kilt,
will I play the internet bore.
Nay promises mind.

portpower
7 years ago

Caption:
New sevconian diversification.
Butt hinges beware!

mike
7 years ago

Sex for beginners,

Put your left leg oot,
shake it all aboot,
do the hokey pokey,
and turn aboot,
that’s whit its all aboot.

Oh hokey pokey cokey,
Oh hokey pokey cokey,
Oh hokey pokey cokey,
that’s whit its all aboot, shoottttttttttt.

Monti
7 years ago

This is honest mistake season approaching i think, the Lodges, Refs, Hampden are in panic mode, the media are losing their composure.
Celtic need to be very streetwise in this semi final!

Una
7 years ago

Fred c knobs is deadhead in disguise nothing but a sicko. In Monti we trust!!!

Monti
7 years ago
Reply to  Una

Una,
I will not fail you sir!! 🙂

Fuck him m8, i welcome his hurt!

Monti
7 years ago

Is it too much to ask that people call it how it fucking is?
For example, when googley eyes Sutherland said ” Celtic haven’t beaten ” rangers in a Scottish cup semi final for 92 years”
Could Scott McDonald no reply ” ” rangers are a new club formed in 2012, so you’re talking pish there Jonny “?

Fuck sake min

SteveNaive
7 years ago

Anybody else think we were poor again first half ? Passes going astray, over hit and lack of pace. Kind of hoped we had moved on from this . We came good again like against Hamilton Motherwell and ICT but can’t be that sloppy in the Qualifiers.

Monti
7 years ago
Reply to  SteveNaive

Steve Naive,
I was genuinely worried for a bit during the game, i thought St.Mirren got their tactics spot on in the first half.
I lost count how many times i shouted ” fir fuck sake min ” at another stray pass lol.
GMS is a player i like but it’s a worry how he doesn’t take his chances to show something.
Come on Gary you’re a Cetic player, time to let that sink in, talk to your best pal Armstrong and get right fucking up for the ride.
HH

Monti
7 years ago

Caption: Keith jackson bares his sole to Craig Whyte!

Monti
7 years ago

Caption: New British Army Anti- IED hardware!

Stupid, stupid Huns.

jimmybee
7 years ago

Caption : Picture shows The Brendan effect, players are two feet taller playing for him.
Monti I think the pitch has a lot to do with how we are playing at home. Like the Centenary season I’m in no panic with this team,I just know the goals will come not to lose a match but to go on and win every game.
But the pitch is slowing us down. Passes were awful in the first half,as the ball slowed or ran away from players.
I did feel for GMS on Sunday,I don’t believe he has what it takes to be a Celtic player,but he tried to make something happen.
When your confidence is low,that’s when you need the supporters,to help lift you. What he got was a disgrace.
Cmon Celtic support get behind all our players not just your favourites.
I think on Sunday Paddy for GMS and Leigh for Bitton, would be the changes let Armstrong play in beside Broony.
Attack Attack Attack 7-0.

Monti
7 years ago
Reply to  jimmybee

Jimmybee,
So what’s gone wrong with our pitch, is John Hayes still the groundsman?
John has done a great job over the years with the pitch, now it’s shit??
I believe we also have the lighting and heating equipment?

jimmybee
7 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Monti the pitch was relaid for 2014/15 season, my opinion is allowing the Hun to play on it has fucked up the sacred turf. But that’s only my opinion.
Maybe it only has a couple of years but it sure needs fixing. It is in poor condition.

jimmybee
7 years ago

Lest we forget 6th of March 1988.
Mairéad Farrell, Sean Savage and Dan McCann were unarmed when they were gunned down in broad daylight before the terrified gaze of onlookers. The three Volunteers became the latest victims of the unofficial British policy of the time – shoot to kill. They never had a chance.

The state-sponsored media immediately launched into a now familiar refrain. The IRA had just planted a 500-pound bomb, the world was told, and were killed in a fierce gun battle. There were whisperings of an alleged “Basque connection” and British forces proudly trumpeted that the surveillance operation that had monitored the Volunteers’ movements had been ongoing for months.

But the day after the killings, the story suddenly changed.

The British admitted there had been no bomb at all, and grudgingly acknowledged the Volunteers had been unarmed when they were shot.

When the bodies of the three landed in Dublin to begin the long journey home, their families were there to claim them. And although it was now night, thousands of people lined the route of the funeral cortege – all the way to Belfast.

As the procession crossed the border, the RUC tried several times to delay it. They ordered that the National flags that draped the coffins be removed. RUC Land Rovers then closed in on each hearse, following close behind the vehicles. At several points they actually struck the hearses.

Unionist mobs had also lined the route, ready to shout abuse and throw whatever was handy at the bereaved. On arrival in Belfast, a senior RUC man was seen spitting on the hearse carrying the body of Volunteer Dan McCann to his Cavendish Street home.

There had been constant harassment by state forces at the funerals of nationalist and particularly republican dead for some time prior to this. Mourners were regularly attacked by riot gear-clad RUC men and British soldiers. Families were threatened, abused, insulted. Graves were trampled on. Republicans could not bury their dead with dignity.

On 3 March, just prior to the funerals of the Gibraltar Three, there had been funerals for two other IRA Volunteers.

Brendan Moley and Brendan Burns were buried in Crossmaglen, South Armagh. The family of Brendan Moley actually had to fight to have his body released and when the funeral processions finally took place, the mourners were again attacked by the RUC.

So, when the bodies of the Gibraltar Three were returned to their respective homes in Belfast prior to burial, no one was too surprised that the RUC and British Army maintained a presence around their family homes and harrassed mourners who were attending their wakes. It was like rubbing salt into an open wound.

In response, the IRA took to the streets, and on 14 March, as he was preparing to launch an attack on crown forces intimidating mourners outside the Turf Lodge home of Sean Savage, Volunteer Kevin McCracken was shot in the back by a British soldier.

McCracken had been an H Block blanketman, and was a dedicated republican. He died before an ambulance arrived.

Two other nationalists died at the hands of unionist paramilitaries in the following two days.

Charles McGrillen, a 25-year-old father from the Ormeau Road in Belfast, was shot at close range by a lone loyalist gunman on 15 March as he helped a workmate unload goods in a yard on the Annadale embankment. The attack came only 24 hours after the UDA issued a statement saying that “innocent Catholics had nothing to fear” from their campaign against republicans.

Then Kevin Mulligan, who had been shot by a UDA gunman while working in a garage a year earlier, succumbed to his injuries and died in hospital.

Due to the ongoing threat of sectarian violence and the constant presence of British state forces and their continuing harassment of nationalist mourners, tensions were high as the funerals of the Gibraltar Three began on 16 March. But strangely enough, as events commenced there were few RUC or British Army units lurking nearby.

By the time the funeral cortege reached Milltown cemetery in West Belfast, there seemed to be no crown forces about at all – with the exception of two British Army helicopters overhead.

When the coffins of McCann, Farrell and Savage were lowered into the ground, a respectful hush descended on the assembled crowd. That was when unionist paramilitary Michael Stone began his attack.

Stone later claimed his original intention was to kill Gerry Adams, Martin McGuinness and/or Danny Morrison. He stated he had even been near the three men during and after the funeral Mass, but had for one reason or another, chosen to wait.

In Milltown he decided to act.

Wearing a cap, dark jacket and jeans, Stone stood up from behind a headstone some 50 yards away from the gravesites and lobbed a grenade into the mourners. It landed just 20 yards from the republican plot and exploded, injuring several people.

The crowd was unsure what was happening at first. There was confusion and screams as the injured fell. People scattered in panic and dropped to the ground for cover as stewards desperately appealed for calm. Some lay over others, using their bodies to offer protection from the onslaught. Everyone was looking around, trying to ascertain where the attack was coming from, what was happening, and who was behind it.

Stone reached into the pouch he had around his waist and pulled out more grenades. As he continued to throw the devices, many in the crowd began to pursue him in a selfless attempt to disarm him. Stone was undoubtedly surprised by this. He pulled out a pistol and opened fire, while still throwing the grenades, but those rushing to confront him pulled back only momentarily and then surged forward again.

Stone continued to retreat towards the M1 motorway at the bottom of Milltown, throwing grenades and firing shots as he went. Those who were chasing him gave no thought for their own safety. They simply wanted to stop him before he hurt anyone else. Their courage was exceptional.

As the crowd followed Stone towards the motorway, many then noticed a white van parked on the hard shoulder. Stone made his way towards it, but it suddenly sped away.

Stone then tried to stop several vehicles at gunpoint to make his escape, but he was unsuccessful and republicans finally reached him. He was knocked to the ground and apprehended as he tossed his final grenade. It was only then that the RUC arrived and intervened, threatening the crowd with plastic bullet guns in order to pull Stone away from them.

Later, Stone would claim that his gun had jammed and his mates had “fucked off and left me”. He then decided to retract that remark, and instead claimed he had acted alone.

Had it not been for the courageous actions of those who pursued Michael Stone at Milltown, the death toll would have been much higher. A reporter from the Irish Times said of their actions: “This was not simply bravery; this was a heroism which in other circumstances I have no doubt would have won the highest military decorations.”
In the end, three people died, and a further 60 were injured by shrapnel or gunshot wounds. Among them was a 10-year-old boy who had been shot in the back as he tried to take cover, a grandmother with wounds to her stomach, and a pregnant mother of four.

But had it not been for the courageous actions of those who pursued Stone that day, the toll would have been much higher.

The three men killed by Stone were Thomas McErlean, John Murray and IRA Volunteer Caoimhín Mac Brádaigh.

A reporter from the Irish Times, who had been in attendance that day, said of their actions: “This was not simply bravery; this was a heroism which in other circumstances I have no doubt would have won the highest military decorations.”

There was never any inquest into the deaths of McErlean, Murray or Mac Brádaigh. In fact, the mother of 20-year-old Thomas McErlean was told quite bluntly that there wouldn’t be one. She was told this not by the coroner, but by an RUC man.

Fifteen years later, Sally McErlean still feels her son’s absence profoundly. Speaking on a Belfast-based community radio show last week, she was clearly still affected deeply by his loss. But with a trembling voice she remarked: “In the end I raised a hero, and no matter what, I’m proud of him.”

If there had been an inquest into the deaths, it would have revealed that they had been killed with weapons that were part of a shipment of arms from South Africa organised by British agent Brian Nelson.

State forces had allowed most of the shipment to be delivered into the hands of unionist paramilitaries unhindered, and were well aware they were being used to target nationalists.

The day of his attack in Milltown, Stone had used a Belgian manufactured Browning 9mm pistol of the same type as those brought in from South Africa. He also had a US manufactured .357 Ruger Magnum revolver, the same type as those acquired by the RUC in the early 1980s. Both weapons had had their serial numbers removed.

Stone had also cut the tip of the trigger finger off one of the gloves he wore, allowing for more accurate control of the weapon, and witnesses said he was wearing a plaster around his finger to prevent leaving fingerprints. Clearly, he had thought he would make good his escape.

Questions still remain about the suspicious white van that sat on the motorway hard shoulder. Were the RUC using it? Or were those inside part of Stone’s back up who fled when they saw the crowd chasing Stone?

There had been roadblocks in place all day within yards of the M1 exits at Kennedy Way and Broadway. The graveside oration and burials had taken place within sight of cameras mounted atop the RUC Andersontown barracks and the Broadway tower block, but no crown forces emerged to protect the crowd or apprehend the gunman.

The RUC did not move to apprehend Stone until he had already been caught by the pursuing crowd. The two guns used in the attack were recovered not by the RUC or British Army but by the IRA, who put them on display on the front page of An Phoblacht.

“It is no coincidence that the first funeral to be unaccompanied by crown forces in 18 years was the occasion for a carefully planned loyalist attack,” read a statement issued by the Belfast Brigade of the IRA. “Clearly, the attackers were informed by someone or some people in the crown forces about the strategy which was to be adopted by the RUC and British Army. There was collusion.”

Stone was charged with the killings of the three men he had killed in Milltown, and the additional deaths of three other nationalists as well – Paddy Brady, Kevin McPolin and Dermott Hackett.

When charged with these killings, Stone stated: “I saw his file. He was a legitimate target.” To what file was he referring? Who had compiled it?

The day after the Milltown attack, Volunteer Kevin McCracken was laid to rest. In spite of the danger and tension, there was a massive turnout for his funeral. Security was tight, but his burial passed off peacefully.

The month was now only half over.

On 19 March, the funerals of those who had confronted Stone in Milltown took place. IRA Volunteer Caoimhín Mac Brádaigh’s funeral began quietly enough. Republican stewards with two-way radios monitored the funeral cortege as it inched along the Andersonstown Road.

But when the procession reached Casement Park, a grey Volkswagen Passat with two male occupants drove directly towards the crowd.

The car had ignored the warnings of the stewards, and although the driver saw the cortege up ahead of him, he did not take the opportunity to turn off onto a side street or do a U-turn and go back the way he had come. Instead, he accelerated at high speed and mounted a footpath, narrowly missing several of those who had gathered to line the route.

The car then quickly reversed but was cut off by several Black taxis, who were at the head of the cortege.

Believing they were again under attack by unionist paramilitaries, men began to surround the vehicle. One of the occupants produced a handgun and fired. The crowd pulled back for a second before fearlessly attacking the car again. Both occupants were dragged out of the vehicle and beaten. The IRA arrived on the scene and took custody of both men.

The IRA determining that the two were British soldiers in civilian clothing and subsequently executed them.

The first three weeks of March 1988 left an indelible impression on the political landscape of the North and its reverberations are still felt today.

Michael Stone is now a free man and spends his time painting and selling prison stories about Johnny Adair to tabloid scandal sheets. The Gibraltar Three lie in the Republican Plot of Milltown cemetery, alongside Volunteers Kevin McCracken and Caoimhín Mac Brádaigh.

The RUC has changed its name to the PSNI but little else about the force has changed, and the spy cameras mounted atop Andersontown barracks still watch mourners as they come and go from Milltown.

“The horrendous catalogue of events in the first three weeks of March 1988, from the Gibraltar killings to the corporals’ executions, each incident more unexpected, bizarre and shocking than its precursor, marked for many people the lowest point of the troubles,” writes author Brian Feeney in his book, Sinn Féin – A Hundred Turbulent Years.

“There had been incidents which were worse either in terms of the number of casualties or in the tragedy visited on individuals, but taken together the series of horrors that disfigured that month made many people despair.”

Bringing our heroes home

“Outside the sun was shining. Tourists were busying themselves as tourists do when on holiday.

Hours earlier, I could easily have been mistaken for a tourist myself. I had stepped off the plane at Malaga airport into a hot Spanish sun and the world’s media, camped out, waiting to get a glimpse of me and my companion or to hear us speak.

Despite the heat, I was freezing. There are many memories of that time 15 years ago; most are horrendous but the cold in my bones I can still remember all these years later.

I was standing on my own. A British Naval Officer, a captain, dressed immaculately in a white uniform and hat, joined me.

He had earlier said: ‘Prepare yourselves, the injuries are horrific.’

Nothing would have prepared me.

The door opened. I stood in a small room eight feet by twelve. I looked down. There on a low-level trolley wrapped in heavy see through plastic was the blood stained uncleaned body of Dan. He was naked. The plastic sheet was opened. It was the one they wrapped him in when they lifted him off the street. I nodded my head. It was Dan.

I lifted my eyes to the right as the officer opened a huge drawer from a huge filing cabinet. Inside that drawer was Sean. He was on his back looking up. His body naked, like Dan’s, was covered in blood. His injuries were horrific. I nodded my head. It was Sean.

I entered another small room down the corridor. There on a bed covered in a white sheet to her chin was Mairéad. Her dark hair contrasted sharply but softly against the white pillowcase and sheet. Her face was clean. Her nose was broken. I nodded my head. It was Mairéad. I asked and was told her nose was broken in the fall when she was shot.

I excused myself to regain my composure. I went to my companion, Mairéad’s brother. I took him to her. He lifted her in his arms and hugged her tightly and then gently rested her head back on the pillow.”

Former Belfast City Councillor and Ard Chomhairle member Joe Austin recalled the harrowing tale of his journey to Gibraltar to recover the bodies of IRA volunteers Mairéad Farrell, Dan McCann and Sean Savage, who were summarily executed by the SAS on 6 March 1988.

This is the first time in 15 years Joe has spoken publicly about one of the most traumatic episodes in the history of the modern IRA, indeed in the history of the struggle for freedom for this generation of republicans.

He explained his reticence: “It was so close, so personal, so painful. It was private, between me, Dan, Sean, Mairéad and their families.”

Sitting with Joe in his parlour, enjoying the warmth from the rays of a spring sunshine through the window, it was hard to take in his account.

Joe’s words took us back to another era, when death and tragedy was commonplace, when there was no peace process, when there was no prospect of peace talks.

“I was going to Gibraltar to bring home friends, not strangers, people I knew, comrades who had shared my home and a pot of tea with me on many an occasion.” – Joe Austin
Joe continued:

“Thirty-six hours previous, these harrowing scenes were unthinkable.

“At that point in time my Iris Drive home (on Belfast’s Falls Road) seemed a million miles away.

“We had left the north of Ireland, territory claimed as British. We stood on other territory claimed as British, the ‘Rock of Gibraltar’.

“My journey to this concrete bunker gouged out of granite started unknown to me as I listened to the 4pm news the previous Sunday.

“First news reports said there had been a shooting in Gibraltar and that three men were dead.

“In those days, I was a news addict. I had to be; I was working in the republican press centre.

“My phone never stopped over the next five hours, as journalists and republicans rang to find out what I knew about the killings, which of course was nothing.

“Between the first news breaking and 11pm that night, when the names of those killed were released, the story went through many changes, which added to the rumours across Belfast of who was killed.

“At one point, the news was that the three were killed during a gun battle. Another was that a huge bomb had been discovered and defused. This confusion was deliberate and typical of how the British military and their sympathetic news agencies handled killings of this nature, which were known as ‘shoot to kill’ operations.

“They always covered up the truth in an attempt to shift responsibility from themselves onto the people they killed.

“There wasn’t a republican in Ireland not asking themselves ‘I wonder who they are? I wonder do I know them?’

“That’s the way life was then. Invariably, the answers to both questions were ‘Yes’.

“My journey to Gibraltar began, in my head, that night at 9pm, when a senior Belfast republican called to my house. He told me the names of those killed and also told me that I was “going to Gibraltar” with members of the families to bring the bodies home.

“I didn’t hesitate in my mind for one second but what would ‘going to Gibraltar mean?’ I hadn’t a clue.”

Joe personally knew Dan and Sean very well and he got to know Mairéad after she was released from Armagh prison. Dan and Sean were constant visitors to his Iris Drive home.

“Sean was in the house several times a week. He was a young lad, growing up, constantly on active service, constantly looking for a debate, a place to get a mug of tea or to put his head down for a while.

“He was intense and argumentative. He questioned everything. He was hungry for news about the world. We talked endlessly about other liberation struggles and in particular about Palestine.

“He was direct and open and matter of fact. He challenged the perceived wisdom on a given issue. I remember we had this heated and very long debate about who was really behind the international drug trade.

“He was a fiddler, always fiddling with clocks, radios, anything complicated he’d dismantle. He would have taken your lighter apart if you had let him.

“For his young age, he was stable and concentrated on what he was doing. At the time he was learning French and did so in a single-minded way. He was also a keen cyclist.

“Dan was a neighbour. He lived with his young family around the corner. He was older than Sean and had been to gaol. He was old beyond his years and was tough. He knew the politics of the situation and was cautious.

“I knew of Mairéad when she was in gaol and on the hunger strike. When she got out she was on the Belfast Comhairle Ceantair. At the time I was the chairperson.

“So we worked together. What struck me was that Mairéad Farrell the person was entirely different from the legend. She was very sharp but was fun loving and had a mischievous sense of humour. She didn’t take herself too seriously.

“So I was going to Gibraltar to bring home friends, not strangers, people I knew, comrades who had shared my home and a pot of tea with me on many an occasion.

“Phone calls brought new challenges and one of the most difficult was to meet with the families to make arrangements for the journey to Gibraltar. At 11am the following day, we met Dan and Sean’s fathers and Mairéad’s parents.

“It was almost too much to bear. I was burdened with sadness for the families and yet I had to organise my mind to deal with routine matters: airports, plane times, solicitors and undertakers. I had to get to Gibraltar and we had to get the bodies home for burial.

“Dan and Sean’s family asked me to represent them and Mairéad’s brother accompanied me.

“At 1pm that day I signed forms in PJ McGrory’s solicitor’s office which gave me ‘power of attorney’, the authority to secure the release of the bodies – authority I neither wanted nor relished.

“At 5pm that afternoon, we met in Mairéad’s family home to make final arrangements to fly out of Dublin to Gibraltar the following morning at 7am.

“Although we avoided the media at Malaga airport, we couldn’t avoid the Spanish police. They joined us in a convoy, which was also quickly joined by a huge media presence. We snaked our way along the Spanish coast for over two hours before we arrived at La Linea, the border crossing to Gibraltar.

“An early sign of hostility was evident from the refusal of any Spanish solicitor, despite PJ Mc Groy’s best efforts, to help us.

“At 6pm Spanish time we crossed into Gibraltar. We were held by military personnel seeking our intentions, which they knew but we had to confirm.

“They tried to force us to wear blankets over our heads for the next leg of the journey but we refused. We were taken in another convoy with sirens blazing to where the captain, dressed in white, tried to force us to sign the British official secrets act before he would allow us onto the naval base where the bodies were held.

“We refused. They refused to release the bodies. There was a stand off, one I was determined to win. They huddled together, tried again to force us to sign papers but we again refused.

“They relented.

“It was like that the whole time. Almost everything was a battle, a battle we had to win. They had killed Dan, Mairéad and Sean. What more did they want? We had no more to give. I was determined to act with dignity and determination at all times.

“I was on a mission to bring home those who fought and died on foreign lands for our freedom. I felt deeply about that and still do. There was something in my head that was saying to me: ‘Remember who you are and what you represent.’

“I felt as if I was being tested. I had to hold onto myself. I had to keep control at all times. I needed to be in control. I had to fight inside myself to get the strength to carry on in the face of what was in front of me and Mairéad’s brother.

“I had to dig deep, very deep.

“There were moments of sympathy. The captain in white told me that none of the naval personnel were involved in the killings: ‘They came from London. They killed and went back to London.’

“A monk, the chaplain of the naval base, asked permission to say a few prayers at Mairéad’s bed side with her brother and myself beside him. This was appreciated. At 10pm that night we signed the papers which allowed the undertaker to do his job.

“Other thoughts came into our heads. We had nowhere to stay. We were advised not to stay in Gibraltar because there were a lot of ‘squaddies and hotheads, we wouldn’t be safe’.

“We drove over the border and about until we lost the press, who were still following us. We selected a hotel at random.

“The owner knew who we were and said we wouldn’t be safe in his place but he would speak to his family. It was midnight by this stage. His family said they would treat us as we were, grieving relatives, and we were welcome to stay for the night.

“At 1am the hotel received a death threat to our lives. They informed the Spanish police, who then provided a protection service for us in the hotel.

“We went to bed exhausted at 3am. An hour or so later there was this loud non-stop pounding on our door. It was the Spanish police. They put Mairéad’s brother under arrest, accusing him of entering Spain illegally sometime before.

“I went with him to the local police station, where they put us into a ‘drunk tank’.

“Half an hour later there was a noisy commotion outside, people were screaming and shouting. We didn’t know what to expect. Suddenly the cell door was opened and these five transvestites were thrown into our cell. They were guys with moustaches and high heels. No harm to them but they didn’t strike a pretty picture.

“Because we spoke English they thought we were and kept their distance. When they found out we were Irish they couldn’t do enough for us. They became our legal advisers, our translators and supplied us with cigarettes.

“We appeared in court that morning at 10am but the magistrate dismissed the case out of hand, describing it as ‘nonsense’.

“By early afternoon we were facing another huge problem. We couldn’t get a flight home. Airlines and workers in Gibraltar and Spain were refusing to handle the bodies. They organised a boycott.

“The undertaker asked for permission to embalm the bodies. He said we could be facing a 20-day delay. Over the next 36 hours we tried to fly to Morocco, to Malaga, to Dublin, to anywhere in Europe.

“The Sinn Féin team in Belfast were working flat out to get us home but the boycott was effective.

“The British airfield on Gibraltar was available if we could hire a plane but we would have to handle the bodies ourselves, as the workers were refusing.

“The British military offered to fly us home through England but this was to be a ‘last resort’ option.

“At 8pm on the fourth day of the stand-off, I got a call from home to say that a plane from Luton would land at the British base at 10am the following morning.

“We arrived at the military base at 9am the following day. It was like a winter’s day in Ireland, with wind, rain and sleet falling.

“They tried again to get us to sign the official secrets act but we refused. They put us in the guardroom. We heard a plane landing and taking off. We thought that’s it, we’re back to square one. We’ve missed the plane.

“But we hadn’t. We were taken to the airfield. It was a sad, desolate scene. Dan, Mairéad and Sean were in three separate hearses alongside each other. We stood beside them. Across the way from us inside a huge hanger were the workers. They were howling unspeakable abuse at us.

“The planed landed and taxied to a halt in front of us. We suddenly discovered the plane was too high for us to lift the coffins onto it. There was another delay while we searched for a forklift.

“A rope ladder had to be lowered from the door so that I could board the plane. I was to travel home to Ireland with my comrades.

“All the seats but one had been removed. The coffins were strapped down in a row. My seat was beside them. The plane took off for Ireland eight days after the killings.

“The captain was Romanian, the co-pilot was Greek and the navigator was Pakistani. Foreign nationals broke the boycott. Midway through the four-hour flight the co-pilot very kindly brought me a flask of tea and sandwiches.

“There were massive crowds at Dublin airport to greet us. But there was an amazing experience when we first arrived with the coffins inside a hanger. There must have been about 200 workers hammering away, making all sorts of noises. Then suddenly, silence broke out and someone began to murmur the ‘Hail Mary’ in Irish and within seconds the prayer was echoing around this huge space. It was eerie.

“But we were home and that was the main thing.”

Tens of thousands of people came out along the route from Dublin airport to the border to show their respect and to protest the executions. When the cortege crossed into the Six Counties the RUC attacked it and disrupted it as often as they could until it got to Belfast.

There was a huge military blockade on Kennedy Way in Belfast, which threatened to prevent the bodies making the final leg of the journey home.

Gerry Adams tried to reason with the military but they refused to let them past. Gerry addressed the crowd that was waiting and told them they were being blocked. The angry crowd ran at the military, who scattered.

The coffins reached their homes in the early hours of the morning. As they did so they were greeted with the news that another IRA Volunteer, Kevin McCracken, had been shot dead on active service by the British Army.

As Joe recounted his story, I was reminded of the last time I saw Mairéad. She was at my coming home function in Tullymore. It was the end of the evening. She was leaving with her boyfriend, Seamy Finucane.

She waved over to me and smiled broadly. I never saw her again alive. She was shot dead a few days later.

RIP Our bravest of the brave.

TicToc
7 years ago
Reply to  jimmybee

Well, Jimmy, that was one helluva post. It took me through almost every emotion; sadness, anger, sympathy, outrage, aye, and many more, and the bastards who perpeptrated most of it can repeat it any time they choose. Fucking outrageous.
An obviously planned attack on mourners FFS, as uk military forces collude with paramilitaries. And then the treatment of the guy who went with Mairead’s brother to bring the bodies back from Gibraltar…..Jesus H Christ it is just about unbelievable, but I know your account of events will be true.
RIP to all those brave Volunteers who’ve laid down their lives for the cause, but I must include a codicil; in my view there is NEVER a time when indiscriminate killing can be acceptable; it must be towards legitimate, defined targets. A very worthwhile but harrowing read. Well posted.
HH

7 years ago
Reply to  TicToc

Tic Toc cheers M8. I did a lot if travelling from 1979 onwards back and forth to the North. I saw first hand the intimidation and fear of nationalist people, my kin, every day and night. Wars are a terrible thing m8. I had a few mates who joined the army back in the 80s they used to come back and say Jimmy I fuckin hate the RA but I get it. I know why yous do it,and if I was born over there I would be in it maself.
HH

jimmybee
7 years ago
Monti
7 years ago
Reply to  jimmybee

One of my all time favourite songs m8!

portpower
7 years ago

Read,white and bloo like a book.

The league is out of our grasp,Sunday`s game is meaningless.

Our next stage is a Scottish Cup win.

sevco ring of sustenance FC.

portpower
7 years ago
Reply to  portpower

Feed the monkey SMSM. Feed the monkey.

jimmybee
7 years ago

Johhny Hayes is still the head groundsman as far as I know m8.

portpower
7 years ago

🙂

Dirrty Murrty to take one’s medicine.

sevco gift voucher FC.

portpower
7 years ago

They`ll be singing Kum ba ya come Sunday.

The SPFL and Scottish FA told me that they believe there have been no incidents of mass sectarian(racist) singing in Scottish football in the past year.

http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0051/00514870.pdf

mike
7 years ago

No caring what anyone says I want the “Lions as a TEAM to be given the recognition that they fully deserve, the legacy, the recognition that they brought to Celtic, the respect that they brought to our club, money couldn’t buy.
In this the 50th anniversary year,is special, to a special bunch of players and a special management team.
We will never see their likes again.
A plaque mibbee with the team coming onto the park, with all the team, substitutes, management and trainers, all their names on the plaque, hung outside Celtic park, is the very least that they deserve.
COMMON PETER MAKE IT HAPPEN.

Monti
7 years ago
Reply to  mike

Away and bile yer fucking heed ya rocket….
You want the remaining Lisbon Lions to bow down in front of their majesty???
Maybe she’s your majesty as well?

Do you listen to her speech on Christmas day with a tear in your eye, holding your union jack mug of tea?

mike
7 years ago

I don’t want to date you Susanna, I just want to,

Ah zig a zig you aaaahhhh.
Always in our hearts, Susanna Hosana, but no as much as the “Lions”.
In the jungle the mighty jungle,
the “Lions” sleep tonight.
God bless you, one and all.
Will try to get to Parkhead on Friday to pay my respects to Tommy. sleep tight big man.

Monti
7 years ago

Mike,
You are belittling the achievements of the Lisbon Lions by asking for them to bow their heads to their Queen.
You are saying that their achievements will only be proper if their Queen acknowledge it?

Pish

mike
7 years ago

Mibbee you should read my post, the recognition with a plaque, at the very least, a plaque, hung from the wall at Celtic Park, with the names of the full squad on the plaque, under the picture of the team coming onto the park.
Your the only Queen on here, shouting abuse, about players or posters, whose views disny meet your highness’s high levels of performance or views.
So shut yer puss your majesty. ya fanny.

Monti
7 years ago
Reply to  mike

Mike,
🙂

Monti
7 years ago
Reply to  mike

A fucking Plaque?
Jesus H Christ…………

Ķen

mike
7 years ago

Yes your majesty, kneel doon and touch your toes, while I adjust your tiara.
Wait till I get my wee union flags out.
Three cheers for her majesty,

chip, chip, hoora.

mike
7 years ago

or a knighthood, hahaha.

mike
7 years ago

Quick hide, watch out, the clock is ticking.

Tic toc.

then it stopped short,
never to go again,
when the huns all died. deed.

TicToc
7 years ago
Reply to  mike

Nice one, Mike.
I was alive when Rangers died. Magic, pure Magic.
Never thought I’d live to see THAT day, going on for 5yrs ago. YYYIIIIPPPPPEEEEE!
HH

mike
7 years ago

This wans fur Tic toc.

Sammy, Sammy,
pride of our family,
don’t ever wander,
away from the family and me,
cos your auld Grandad loves you.

Sammy, Sammy,
iv.e done my hammy,
trying to play fitba.
that auld Celtic wayyyyyyyyy.

TicToc
7 years ago
Reply to  mike

Mike, I’ll tell the ‘wee man’ on Friday you even remembered his name, but I must caution he’s very particular about things and he’ll tell you “it’s Sam, not Sammy, Sammy sounds like a hun, an’ I’m no’ hun, just ask ma Grandad” 🙂
HH

mike
7 years ago
Reply to  TicToc

Best wishes to Sam, from everyone on ETIMS. YNWA.

mike
7 years ago

This wans for Pensionerbhoy.

Some enchanted evening,
you may see a stranger,
you may see a stranger,
across a crowded room,
and somehow you know,
you ken even then,
that somehow you will meet me again.
All right Arfur, got a kebab Arfur?

Monti
7 years ago
Reply to  mike

Nurse!!

TicToc
7 years ago
Reply to  Monti

HaHaHa, “Nurse!!”, is that for you or Mike, Monti?
As you well know, I’m a regular, level-headed sort of fella, and I reckon you’re both fuckin’ nutters. 🙂
(in the nicest possible way, of course!)
HH roll on Sunday lunctime, intae them DOBs.
PS Maybe start wi’ Izzy, he’d soon scare the shit outa that arsehole Garner.

mike
7 years ago
Reply to  TicToc

Hes no heavy, hes ma bra udder.

TicToc
7 years ago
Reply to  mike

🙂
In amongst everything else, I’ve been responding to a reply I got from the BBC. (you’ll maybe remember from previous posts some weeks ago.)
The BBC don’t make it easy to deal with them, no doubt as they don’t like complaints. (I’ve got some of the component parts of a fuckin’ terrier; I wont let go.)
Anyway, I’ll do my utmost and try to compose something for ETims if I get any kind of result.
HH

Monti
7 years ago
Reply to  TicToc

Garner is out suspended m8

TicToc
7 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Right, cheers. Not sure if that’s good or bad but it’s time somebody ‘introduced’ him to Scotland properly. He’s a horrible little needle of a pretendy hun-fuck. A perfect fit for ibrox.
HH

Monti
7 years ago

Wee trip down to Buckingham palace this spring old boy?
Spiffing what?
Three cheers for old blighty…tally ho.

Busby? Is that you?
Ken

Monti
7 years ago

Tayside trip to Buckingham palace:

Mike: Hello there Lizzie it’s nice tay see ye ken, braw like ken, oh help ma boab, crivvens n jings…
Oh it’s just braw tae see ye in the flesh like ken, braw like..aye.

Lizzie ” One does not understand what one is fucking going on about….and who is Ken”?

mike
7 years ago

This wan is fur the ETIMS queen.

Grace just hold me in your arms,
and let this moment linger,
they take me out at dawn and I will die,
with all my love I place this wedding ring,
upon your finger,
there wont be time to share our love,
so we must say goodbye,

Now its hard for you my love,
to ever understand,
The love I bear for these brave men,
my love for this brave land.
UP THE Ra.

mike
7 years ago

You will be relieved I’m of to get ma coco and chips.

KEN. hahahsa.

Monti
7 years ago

Tayside trip to Buckingham palace cont….

Mike: Michty me it’s just amazing to meet you Lizzie ken, dae ye want a peh?
I’ve a mince peh or a scotch peh? Jist ye tell me like ken and i’ll go n get it fur ye like ken.
Have ye herd the broons fae glebe street or oor wullie like? They’re a grand read fit like, ken n that ken.
Huv ye decided wi peh ye want like ken?

Lizzie ” Can Security escort this rocket off the premises at once “?

portpower
7 years ago

Under the heading: Appellant(s),
is it not formerly The Rangers Football Club Ltd and not Plc
that is In Liquiation?????

comment image

portpower
7 years ago
Reply to  portpower

Edit; Liquidation

TicToc
7 years ago
Reply to  portpower

Port, I did a full response to you but tried to post before putting my name etc. in and the fucking lot disappeared.

(ETims, a problem there!)

As part of the “same club” shite, the sleight of hand was to rename the club/company currently in Liquidation RFC 2012, i.e. the Rangers we all knew and hated. This freed the name “Rangers” to the fucking crooks involved.
I don’t have specific dates to hand but they started trying to pretend they were the same club and Sevco Scotland Ltd. ended up with the assets after some skullduggery as it should’ve been Sevco 5088 Ltd. From early August 2012 Sevco Scotland Ltd changed name to The Rangers Football Club Limited; no takeover, just a name change. Later still we got the introduction of Rangers International Football Club PLC. These are the entities who, between them, pretend to be a dead football club and it’s important to state here a dead INCORPORATED football club, i.e. club and company one and the same DEAD. Hope this helps I’m gonnae have a glass or two before kip.
HH

portpower
7 years ago
Reply to  TicToc

Cheers TicToc.

PS; If you forget to fill in you name etc.

just click the page back arrow.

Your response should be there in full.HH

TicToc
7 years ago
Reply to  portpower

I’ll try to remember that, port, thanks.
HH

portpower
7 years ago
Reply to  portpower

Nope,scrap the above question.

In 2012, The Rangers Football Club Plc entered liquidation and the company’s assets, Ibrox Stadium and Murray Park were bought by Sevco Scotland Ltd.

Sevco Scotland Ltd later changed its name to The Rangers Football Club Ltd.

TicToc
7 years ago
Reply to  portpower

Well thanks a fuckin’ million for that, Port.
Pity it wasn’t half an hour ago! 🙂
My reply to you is in the ether but you’ll note it concurs with your latest comment, assuming you eventually get it. Where’s that wine?
HH

mike
7 years ago

COYBIG for Sunday,
The joy of six, followed by the joy of sex, a cellibratory, (watch noo Mike, wi the Tory bit) ride.
A couple of beers and a quick look at a naughty book, how to cook chips, by heatmafat.
Wheres that Tex? you can never find a cowbhoy when you want one.
Get oan yer pony and ride.

mike
7 years ago

Stand up for the Champions, woooft down bhoy.

mike
7 years ago

Whooooo hooo Its a great day to be alive and them being deeeed.

Monti
7 years ago
Reply to  mike

Shut yer pus!

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