Neil Lennon ‘bomb’ trial: Bomb accused held ‘pure hatred against anyone at Celtic FC’

A MAN alleged to have conspired to kill Neil Lennon in a parcel bomb plot told police he was “terrified” of his co-accused who had “pure hatred” for anyone connected to Celtic Football Club, a court has heard.

Trevor Muirhead admitted he was present when Neil McKenzie posted a package he thought was addressed to the Celtic manager.

The High Court in Glasgow heard the package contained nails and was sent by McKenzie, who he had earlier described as a friend.

Muirhead said he obtained peroxide and passed it on to his co-accused, adding that he was “terrified” of him.

A jury heard that Muirhead told police officers McKenzie has “pure hatred and it seems to be aimed at Neil Lennon and anything to do with Celtic Football Club”.

The 43-year-old, from Kilwinning, and McKenzie, 42, from Saltcoats, both Ayrshire, are on trial accused of conspiring to assault and murder Lennon as well as the late Paul McBride QC, former MSP Trish Godman and various people inside the Glasgow premises of Irish Republican organisation Cairde Na hEireann, by sending what they believed were improvised explosive devices to them through the post.

The trial heard that Muirhead was interviewed under caution by police in Paisley, on 12 May, last year, after he was detained.

A recording of the latter part of that interview was played to the jury yesterday.

During the session, Muirhead was asked about a package recovered on Friday, 4 March, last year from a postbox in Gladstone Road, Saltcoats. “I was there when it was posted,” Muirhead told officers.

Asked who had posted it, he replied: “Neil McKenzie”, adding that he thought it was “another one of his fantasies”. He said: “I think it was addressed to Mr Neil Lennon at Celtic Park, Glasgow. I’m not sure – as I say, it was in the dark and it wasn’t the best of lights.”

Muirhead told officers: “There was some nails in it. He never told me what else was in it. I don’t know but [sic] he was planning to do, but I thought it was really stupid sending the guy an envelope full of nails.”

He also told police he obtained peroxide and passed it on to McKenzie, but said he had not asked questions.

“I’m not scared of the guy, I’m terrified of him because I’ve see what he can do to people,” he told officers.

Muirhead told police that, apart from the peroxide, he “never bought any of the other parts for any of the packages that were sent”.

He said of McKenzie: “He’s really quite violent at times, towards anybody that’s crossed him, that’s crossed his family.”

During the interview, police also asked Muirhead whether he had any “thoughts about apologies” for Mr Lennon, Mrs Godman, Mr McBride and their families.

“I had nothing to do with Mr McBride, I had nothing to do with the MP [sic],” Muirhead told officers. “And I’ll unreservedly apologise to Neil Lennon. I’ve nothing against [him] at all, or Celtic Football Club.”

Both men deny all the charges against them and the trial continues.