Scottish National Party MSP for Glasgow, Bob Doris, has described an attack on a mini-bus belonging to the Tir Conaill Harps Gaelic Athletic Club as a “public outrage”. The mini-bus, containing thousands of pounds worth of sporting and video equipment, was burned out in an early hours arson attack on Monday morning (22 Feb). A compressed gas cylinder was found in the burnt out wreck.

The team were due to take part in a hurling tournament organised by Langside College today (Friday). Bob Doris MSP commented: "It seems clear that the arsonists weren’t interested in taking valuable possessions from the bus. It was a mindless act and a serious matter of public concern whatever the motive. The possibility of a racist attack on a mini-bus bedecked with the Gaelic name of the team and other Irish symbols seems not unlikely.

"I have every faith that Strathclyde Police will investigate this case fully and take seriously any racially motivated possibilities. The message needs to be loud and clear, that if this attack was indeed motivated against the group because of their ethnic background, that the perpetrators will be punished under race laws.

"There is no firm evidence at this stage, but we are increasingly concerned following recent reports of anti-Irish racist violence in a popular Glasgow bar. Those who identify with the Irish Diaspora in Scotland are as welcome to live here without fear of discrimination as any other ethnic group. And that means serious police action in cases where racial motivation is strongly suspected.

"The club has had offers of equipment to continue their season from local schools and from the Irish Gaelic sports community in Ireland. There is tremendous good-will towards the victims of this crime and that show of solidarity means a lot to them.

"The incident took place on Glentanar Road, Lambhill, at around 2.30am on Monday 22 February. Any members of the public who have information should call Strathclyde police immediately on 0141 532 2000."

Notes:

Bob Doris MSP has lodged the following motion at the Scottish Parliament

S3M-05818 Bob Doris (Glasgow) (Scottish National Party): Supporting Tir Conaill Harps and Scotland's Irish Diaspora—
That the Parliament expresses its disgust at those people who disgracefully destroyed the minibus of Glasgow’s Tir Conaill Harps Gaelic Athletic Club on Monday 22 January 2010 by throwing a gas canister through the window; notes that this bus contained valuable sporting equipment worth an estimated £3,000 and that both the bus and equipment were to be used for a sporting tournament involving seven primary schools at the Kelvin Hall Arena on Friday 26 February; congratulates all the hardworking and committed volunteers involved with Tir Conaill Harps who have ensured that the tournament goes ahead and, in particular, thanks the Ulster Council of the Gaelic Athletic Association, which has donated almost £1,500 worth of equipment; considers fears by some people that the minibus attack may have been racially motivated against Scotland’s Irish diaspora community as deeply worrying and believes that such concerns should be fully investigated by the police; believes that the members of Scotland’s Irish diaspora have made a long-standing and valued contribution to the fabric of the Scottish nation, and calls on everyone to stand shoulder to shoulder in unity with Scotland’s Irish community to reject any such acts of either mindless violence or racism.