Orange walk rammy man fined

Brian Hossack • Published 25 Jun 2009 14:00

A MAN was arrested after shouting abuse at bigots bawling anti-Catholic slogans during an Orange parade.

Greenock Sheriff Court heard William McMillan confronted the yobs as they walked with the march near his home in Greenock"s Dempster Street.

The 46-year-old was charged with public disorder when his abusive tirade caught the attention of police escorting the march.

McMillan, now of St Cuthbert Court, Saltcoats, was fined £130 on Tuesday after he admitted committing a breach of the peace by shouting and swearing on 12 April last year.

Defence solicitor Gerry Keenan told the court his client had vented his anger after noticing an unruly element following the march.

He said: 'He is in no way a bigot and none of the remarks he shouted were directed at the walk, or those actually taking part.

'He is a Protestant himself and tells me that his father held a senior

position in the Orange Order.

'On the day of the offence he noticed individuals who attached themselves to this parade and these people were shouting anti-Catholic slogans, which he felt brought the event into disrepute.

'His position from the outset was that his behaviour was never aggravated by any religious prejudice.'

Depute fiscal Tom Smyth earlier told the court McMillan had come to the attention of police after beginning to shout swear words and abuse.

He added: 'Police warned the accused and officers had actually begun to walk away when he started shouting again.

'Although they didn"t actually know who the abuse was directed at, they decide to arrested him for public disorder.'

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This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 25 Jun 09

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