Rangers supporters group to donate money towards construction of Potato Famine memorial

A PROPOSAL to build a memorial to the victims of the Irish Potato Famine in Glasgow has received backing from a leading Rangers supporters group.

• A leading Rangers supporters group has pledged to help fund a memorial to the Irish Potato Famine

• The move is seen as a significant step in light of the rivalry between Rangers and Celtic

The Rangers Supporters Assembly (RSA) have pledged to help fund the memorial, a move that has been widely welcomed.

“The Irish Famine was a terrible tragedy for the whole of that island and also had an effect in the north of Scotland,” said RSA president Andy Kerr.

“It did not discriminate on the grounds of gender, age or religion and we think it is absolutely fitting that a memorial remembers those who suffered as a result.

“Rangers have a large and loyal following from Northern Ireland and many of their ancestors were affected by the famine.”

A decision on what shape the memorial will take and where it will be placed is still to be decided, but a working group is expected to be formed in the next few days, with work due to start on the memorial in November.

Glasgow SNP councillor Feargal Dalton welcomed the RSA’s support, saying: “I’m delighted that the Rangers Supporters Assembly has issued this statement backing a memorial to this tragedy which knew no national or sectarian boundaries. I hope that rapid progress can now be made.”

A spokesman for the ruling Labour Group also backed the move and said: “We welcome this support, and will work constructively to establish a memorial.”