Celtic fan had baton as brawl took place at pub

ACELTIC fan brandished a baton as a brawl took place outside a pub after the Scottish Cup final. James O’Hare was spotted with the weapon at Hoops fans bar the Ladywell in Glasgow’s Dennistoun on May 25, 2019.

O’Hare, a construction supervisor, had earlier attended the pub but was turned away due to his state of intoxication.

He later appeared with the baton as a group of men fought outside the bar at closing time.

O’Hare pleaded guilty yesterday at Glasgow Sheriff Court to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner.

He also admitted having a baton without reasonable excuse or lawful authority.

The court heard the pub is usually used by Celtic fans before, during and after matches.

The Celts had earlier defeated Hearts in the Scottish Cup final defeating the Edinburgh side 2-1 to seal a ‘treble treble’.

O’Hare attempted to enter the Ladywell around 9pm.

He was refused entry by door stewards as he was “heavily intoxicated.”

The pub was closed at 11.40pm before two cars either containing “two or three males in possessions of weapons” turned up.

Prosecutor Amy Hunter said: “O’Hare kicked open the door to the pub in possession of a silver baton with a black handle.

“He was recognised as the person who had earlier attended the pub.

“The witness went outside and observed the man running about holding the baton with a black handle.”

Other witnesses spotted men arguing outside the pub and punches being thrown before the fight “abruptly stopped.”

O’Hare was seen to wave the baton at a group.

A 999 call was made and a description of O’Hare, who was wearing a Celtic top and grey jogging bottoms, was given to the police.

Police ran the number plates of the vehicles that attended and were able to trace O’Hare to his address in August 2019.

Ron Mackenna, defending, told the court O’Hare had gone to the pub with his disabled wife, who was allowed entry.

The lawyer added: “He accepts the stewards were right not to let him in but wanted his wife to come back out and an argument ensued.

“He was assaulted quite badly by three or four people at the door and was on the ground.

“He should have left and called the police but he didn’t do that.

“Mr O’Hare went back to his house and got agitated his wife was still at the bar and the people at the bar were extremely aggressive towards him. He returned and the events unfolded.”

Sheriff Johanna Johnston QC deferred sentence until next month pending background reports.

She said: “To be in the street and to have a weapon and to act in that fashion, I take a serious view of that.”

The dad-of-one, of the city’s Blackhill, had his bail continued meantime.