Celtic and Hibs fans sentenced for violence in Gallagher's, Carlisle

Customers at Gallagher’s Irish bar, Botchergate, watched in horror as the men — six Glasgow Celtic followers including twins, and three people backing Edinburgh-based Hibernian — threw missiles and punches.

The Hibernian group had linked up at a nearby pub on Saturday, October 23, 2021, with fans of Oldham Athletic, who played at Carlisle United that day.

As that 3pm English match kick-off loomed, the Hibernian/Oldham contingent walked city centre-bound towards London Road, as Celtic fans played pool and drank in Gallagher’s.

Carlisle Crown Court heard CCTV captured all violence which erupted after the two groups became aware of each other’s presence.

One of the nine whistled with fingers in his mouth having previously held his phone aloft, appearing to take a selfie.

Prosecutor Andrew Evans said there was no evidence of a planned meet but suggested “some pre-existing enmity” between rival supporters.

Scene: Gallagher's Irish Bar in Carlisle (Image: Google StreetView)

Kieran Ewing threw a pint glass and his twin, Owen Hughes, brandished a pool cue before the pair, aged 32, fought with Andrew Whitson, 39. Michael Morton, 28, had collected pool balls and a cue.

Balls were thrown by James Manley, 30, and William Gerry, 31. Manley threw one pint glass while Andrew Currie, 26, hurled three, and a pool ball which smashed through a window, showering glass on a police constable.

Steven Rintoul, 49, picked up a snapped pool cue and struck towards both Ewings. Currie also tossed a bar stool across the room. Sean McNulty, 44, made gestures with raised hands.

Police following the Hibernian group used video footage and audio to capture their arrival outside the pub. Officers quickly restored order, urging the Hibernian group to move away.

The female publican watched disorder unfold on CCTV and spoke of later closing her pub for cleaning on the busiest day of the week. Her partner, who retreated behind bar, recalled the Celtic group beginning to celebrate together.

“By this I mean they were hugging, cheering and chanting as if they had just won something or how I would describe like football fans celebrating a goal,” he stated.

The pub corridor was filled with broken glass, snapped pool cues, balls and “just destruction” in the aftermath, he added.

Distressed and shocked customers included a man aged in his 70s who began to cry, mothers and a child of five to seven years who was removed from the premises.

Lawyers for the men — who have addresses in the Glasgow, Edinburgh, Stirling and Galashiels areas — spoke of their remorse and shame at becoming involved in the violence, and outlined the impact on their families and employment.

Rosalind Scott Bell, for McNulty, said: “Fortunately the incident was short-lived. Fortunately there were no serious injuries caused.”

Whitson, of Winston Place, Galashiels, and McNulty, of Glenure Loan, Edinburgh, were jailed immediately for 13 months.

Rintoul, of East Main Street, Upall, West Lothian, was jailed for 11 months.

Kieran Ewing, of Woodside Road, Raploch, Stirling, and Morton, of Oak Street, Stirling, were jailed for nine months.

Hughes, of Cecil Street, Stirling, and Gerry, of Laurencecroft Road, Stirling, were both jailed for seven and a half months.

Currie, of Brownsdale Road, Rutherglen, Glasgow, and Manley, of Royston Road, Glasgow, had four and a half-month prison terms suspended and must each complete 120 hours’ unpaid work.

“An ugly, unpleasant incident, as all of you acknowledge,” said Judge Michael Fanning.

All nine men were handed football orders banning them from watching their respective teams and attending all UK stadiums. They must also surrender passports when the Scottish national team plays abroad.