Police officer hurt as fans in dock over Fir Park trouble

The trouble happened before a Scottish Premiership match against Celtic in 2023.

A police officer was slightly hurt when football fans kicked open a fire exit door at Motherwell’s Fir Park Stadium.

The trouble happened before a Scottish Premiership match against Celtic on September 30, 2023.

Mac Martin, 23, of Crinan Gardens, Bishopbriggs; Sam Colquhoun, 22, of Craigdhu Avenue, Airdrie, and Padraig Doyle, 20, of Auckland Wynd, Dalmarnock, appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court this week.

They admitted causing a breach of the peace at the stadium.

Five other men had their not guilty pleas accepted.

The charge was much reduced from what the eight faced originally.

It had been alleged that, with faces masked and while acting with unknown others, they conducted themselves in a disorderly manner in Motherwell town centre and at the stadium.

They allegedly jumped over ticket barriers at Motherwell train station and pushed through turnstiles at Fir Park without showing tickets.

It was also claimed the fans threw fireworks at police horses, causing one horse to stumble against, and damage, a police vehicle.

It was alleged that one mounted police officer was hit on the head by a bottle and another officer was hurt as supporters without tickets shoved open fire exit doors.

The men were also accused of going on to the pitch and gesturing, and throwing objects towards opposing fans.

All eight were due to stand trial but five were allowed to leave the dock when they were formally acquitted.

The only incident the court then heard of related to an attempt to pull open a door where a ticket examiner was in place and the fire exit door being kicked open.

A police officer on the other side of the fire exit door sustained a slight strain as he tried to close it.

Between 10 and 15 fans went through the door and ran into the concourse.

Martin, Colquhoun and Doyle were identified as being in the group.

It was accepted by the prosecution that all of those who went through the fire exit door had tickets for the match which Celtic won 2-1.

Sentence on all three accused, who appeared as first offenders, was deferred until next month for background reports.

Sheriff John Speir will also consider a Crown request to impose football orders on them.

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