The hearse 'warning' that can't be moved

Published on Tuesday 9 June 2009 01:18

IT'S ONE of the more unusual eyesores irritating Edinburgh residents – a hearse bearing two empty coffins, shrouded in a tarpaulin, that has been parked outside tenement flats for the best part of two weeks.

Complaints have been flooding into police and the city council from people living in Hutchison Crossway in the capital's Slateford district.

Neighbours say they are aghast about the large black funeral vehicle being left unlocked and containing wooden coffins.

The hearse was bought by Paul Kernachan, a prominent anti-paedophile campaigner, as a symbolic response to alleged death threats he has had while campaigning on behalf of his action group, Society Against Paedophiles.

Mr Kernachan's partner is Dana Fowley, the victim of Edinburgh's worst paedophile ring.

The father of four said last night he has no intention of moving the vehicle, despite neighbours demanding it goes. They think it is a morbid sight and is taking up unnecessary parking spaces in the road.

Mr Kernachan, 42, told The Scotsman his friend wrote "RIP Paul" on the card attached to the flowers as joke.

The hearse was previously parked outside the home of the people Mr Kernachan accuses of orchestrating the attacks, but he moved it to a spot outside his own flat after police intervened.

He added: "The police can do absolutely nothing about it. It's only a vehicle, it's got tax, MoT and insurance. At the end of the day, I can park it where I want. It is not intended to upset my neighbours – maybe other people, but not my neighbours – and that's why I have covered it over."

Mr Kernachan said he acted following a series of threats against him and Ms Fowley, who was raped and abused along with her sister over 12 years by family members and their friends.

He said: "Recently there was a crowd of about 20 people armed with axes, hammers and baseball bats outside my flat.

"Before that there was an attack on my girlfriend's house. I am a bit intimidated about that, so if the hearse sends out a message that if you think about attacking my house you will be going on a final journey, so be it.

"But I am happy to go to a meeting with the police, sit down and sort it all out."

One neighbour, who asked not to be named, told The Scotsman:

"It is not a nice sight, even though it is covered in tarpaulin – we know what is under there."

Lothian and Borders Police, who are investigating the case, yesterday confirmed the coffins were empty.