Bigot fined for ‘God Hates Catholics’ sign

Banner was aimed at churchgoers en route to mass

A bigot fined for waving a hateful sign as churchgoers entered mass at St Mirin’s Cathedral in Paisley has had his appeal thrown out by judges.

David Orr was ordered to pay £400 after being found guilty of waving a placard proclaiming “God Hates Catholics,” outside the church in Incle Street.

He was convicted of causing fear and alarm through his abusive behaviour by carrying the sign – which also had the words “God Hates The Kirk,” on the reverse side – at Paisley Sheriff Court.

The court previously heard how Orr stood close to the entrance of the cathedral holding his hate filled banner on Sunday, February 26, last year as the Bishop welcomed worshippers before mass.

A number of shocked members of the public went to nearby Mill Street police office to report what was going on and cops quickly arrived to confiscate the sign.

A Sheriff found him guilty of acting in a threatening and abusive manner likely to cause a reasonable person to suffer fear and alarm – aggravated by religious prejudice.

Orr, who has previous convictions for similar incidents, appealed the conviction, claiming his actions were not abusive and would not cause fear and alarm.

However, Sheriff Principal CD Turnball disagreed, stating: “Here, the appellant (Orr) stood outside a place of worship, shortly before a religious service was scheduled to begin, conveying to all who could read his sign a message that was the antithesis of that which those attending the service believed.

“God’s love is a matter of considerable significance to followers of Christian religions.”

He added: “Even leaving that aside, the appellant’s sign conveyed the message that all those attending the service – in other words, on a Sunday morning at that location, most of those reading the sign – were hated.

“In that context, it is perhaps worth noting that – unlike the message on the other side of the placard – the message was aimed directly at the persons likely to be reading it.

“Such behaviour is unacceptable in a tolerant, civilised society. Such conduct can only be characterised as abusive.”

The judges also said it was clear fear and alarm had been caused as worried members of the public went to te police immediately.

They ordered Orr to pay the fine and upheld the conviction.