'Celtic Bombers' Plot Probed

An investigation is underway after parcel bombs were sent to NI-born Celtic manager, Neil Lennon, as well as a lawyer and a politician.

The parcels, which Strathclyde Police say were "designed to cause harm", were sent to Lurgan-born Lennon, Paul McBride QC - who has represented Lennon at Hampden during his dispute with the SFA - and Labour politician Trish Godman.

The various packages were intercepted in March and April, Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond has confirmed who said they were initially thought to be hoax packages but analysis has revealed that they were viable.

A local politician - and a recent victim of an attack herself - the SDLP's Upper Bann Assembly candidate, Dolores Kelly (pictured) has condemned those responsible.

Ms Kelly, who was attacked last Friday, said: "Violent attacks and sectarian intimidation have no place in our society.

"Those responsible for these incidents have nothing positive to offer our community and are a stark contrast to the joy given to millions of people by sporting role models like Neil Lennon.

"The perpetrators of these vicious attempts to hurt people need to be caught and curtailed," she said, last night.

"Somebody out there knows who is responsible for these dangerous, destructive and anti-democratic acts. They must come forward with this information to the police urgently so that the full course of justice can prevail," she insisted.

The SDLP representative suffered minor cuts to her hand after her car was vandalised in Lurgan on Friday.

Dolores Kelly was at the Bells Row crossing in the Kilwilkie estate when the attack happened.

Police said they had received a report that a brick hit the windscreen of a car in the Antrim Road area at about 6pm on Friday and said that a number of youths had been seen in the area at the time and the female driver "sustained scratches".

Ms Kelly said she believed she had been deliberately targeted and that those responsible were "hooligans intent on wreaking havoc in the area."

"Despite the damage to my car, which will require a new windscreen, and my injuries it will not stop me from speaking out against those engaging in anti-social behaviour," she said last weekend.

(BMcC/GK)