It’s disgusting that this should happen to a family in mourning. People got the fright of their lives. The fireworks were clearly set off to scare everybody
Police are called in to protect funeral after rocket thugs target church during service
A church service for a murder victim was disrupted by a sustained firework attack the night before his funeral, the Sunday Mail can reveal.
The vigil for Owen Hassan came under siege for several minutes on Thursday night, leaving mourners terrified. Eyewitnesses said fireworks were set off in and around the g rounds of St Robert Bellarmine
Church in Nitshill, south Glasgow, while the family of the dead man, who was stabbed to death outside his mum’s pub in November, prayed inside. The shocking incident is being investigated by police, who found a stash of unused f ireworks including rockets and bangers near the building. Extra officers were sent to patrol the father-of-three’s funeral mass and burial the next day as detectives continued to investigate. The attack on the v igi l , led by Father Jim Dean, began at about 6.30pm. No one was injured and no damage was caused.
A source said: “It’s disgusting that something like this should happen whi le a fami ly are mourning the death of a loved one.
“Everyone was inside and Fr Dean had just started when loud bangs were heard.
“People got the fright of their lives. It was clearly designed to frighten those who turned up.
“The police arrived quickly after they were called and took what had happened seriously.
“Owen’s fami ly and friends should have been allowed to mourn in peace.”
The funeral mass took place at the church on Friday morning. Owen was laid to rest at St Conval’s Cemetery in Barrhead, Renfrewshire, amid a police presence close to the graveside. The firework attack was
carried out at two spots inside and outside the church grounds.
Rockets were let off in an area between the church building and the chapel house.
Another batch of squibs was set off at the same time on the opposite side of Peat Road, about 30 yards from the church building.
Peat Road residents, who asked not to be named for fear of reprisals, were astonished by the attack.
One man whose home overlooks the church said: “It was like Guy Fawkes night.
“My wife and I could not understand why anyone would set off fireworks at what was a funeral service.
“The fireworks were like an explosion and they lit up the sky and the noise was incredible.
“They must have lasted for five or six minutes but it could have been longer.’
“The fireworks inside the church grounds were positioned next to the church wall beside some small windows, which seemed very
dangerous.
“We did not really know what was going on but then the police arrived, followed by the fire brigade.
“The fire brigade stayed for some time afterwards to clear up and check that no fires developed.”
A woman who lives on Peat Road added: “Oh my goodness, it was horrendous.
“I knew there was something wrong at the time because you do not have fireworks at a funeral.
“It was not a celebration, that is for sure.
“They were pointed towards the church. They all went off after everyone went into the church for the service and the noise they made was deafening.
“I have never seen so many people for a funeral mass.
“I saw a van or people carrier parked next to the fireworks at the time but it had gone after they went off.
“The police came to my door on Friday.
“They were going round the neighbours and asking if we saw anything.“
Owen died after he was stabbed in Greenview Street in Glasgow’s Pollokshaws on November 7.
He had a meal with a friend in a Italian restaurant in nearby Shawlands hours earlier.
Owen, who has a son and two daughters, made his wayy to the Old Stag Inn pub, which is run by his mum, Ann Marie Lynch. .
It is understood he was going ing there to help her close up for the night.
Ann Marie, 54, performed CPR on her son as he lay fighting for his life.
Last month David Callaghan, an, 29, appeared in court charged with ith his murder.
Callaghan, of East Kilbride, e, appeared in private at Glasgow w Sheriff Court. He made no plea a and was remanded in custody.
Fr Dean declined to comment t on the incident but a spokesman for the Archdiocese of Glasgow said: “During the vigil service for the deceased, a loud noise was heard by those who were in the church and this caused sed some alarm.
“It was later discovered that the noise had been caused byy a firework. The police attended.” ”
Police Scotland said: “Officers are investigating after receiving a report of fireworks being aimed at a church in Peat Road, Glasgow, on January 24.”
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service confirmed a c rew a t t ende d the incident.
His family and friends should have been able to mourn in peace