CELTIC and Scotland striker, Derek Riordan, has been found not guilty of assaulting two members of staff in an Edinburgh pub in December of last year.
The trial of 24-year old Riordan of Castleview, Airth, and his cousin, Keith Burrell (26) of Ferry Road Place, Edinburgh, began in May, but was adjourned after a brief hearing of evidence three times until today (Aug 6). The men had denied charges that, while acting with others, they committed a breach of the peace in Biddy Mulligan’s pub in the Grassmarket on December 18; and assaulting assistant bar manager, James Kennedy, and door steward, Ben Mallinson. The Crown dropped the breach of the peace charge during today’s hearing
Sheriff Douglas Allan found Riordan not guilty of the attack on Mr Kennedy and not guilty of the attack on Mr Mallinson. He found Burrell not guilty of attacking the bar manager, and not proven on the charge of assaulting Mr Mallinson.
Outside the court, Riordan and Burrell refused to make any comment, although they agreed they were glad the matter was now over.
Good news indeed! Maybe WGS will give him a game now! Lol
In other news George Galloway has used his column page in the Daily Rectum to have a go at Der Hun and Gordon smith’s appointment to the SFA. Following on from his rant on Real Radio in May Galloway again put the bot into Bigot FC in this sarcasm-laden piece.
IT'S TIME TO TACKLE THE BIGOTS
I SEE the dregs of Scottish bigotry were out in full force in Inverness at the weekend.
Those who are ready to wade "up to their knees in fenian blood" at the drop of a flute - despite David Murray's heroic efforts, which deserve a Nobel nomination - were baiting Catholics in a town where scarcely any remain.
There are only two people in polite company who don't apparently regard this scourge as unacceptable - Donald Findlay, QC, who is up to his knees in a million pounds a year of legal aid (partly provided by Catholic taxpayers), and Gordon Smith, who, unhelpfully in the circumstances, is the head of the Scottish Football Association.
Ex-Ranger Smith has still not dealt with the revelation - by Jim Traynor in the Record - that he believes these songs may not be sectarian.
He promised to take action to assuage the doubts of Scotland's Catholic minority.
I suggested an SFA role for the under-used and highly talented Celtic supporters' champion Brian Dempsey, but he has not done so.
Brilliant Geo! You go get em!
Yours in Celtic
Clydebuilt