Corpun file 17697

Daily Record, Glasgow, 25 May 2006

Give Neds a good flogging - Priest

By Janice Burns

A PRIEST at the centre of a sectarian hate campaign last night called for a return of public flogging.

Father Stephen Dunn, 44, hit out after thugs scrawled sick graffiti on the door of his chapel house.

The priest said: "I would have birching in George Square on alternate Saturdays at 6am.

"If these thugs thought they were going to be publicly flogged, by God you can bet they wouldn't do it again."

Father Dunn has been targeted by sectarian thugs since taking over at the Sacred Heart Church, in Bridgeton, Glasgow, two years ago.

He was punched by a bigot last year, his home has been attacked and he is regularly taunted in the street.

Father Dunn said: "I am just trying to serve the community and evil little thugs are making my life utter hell.

"Sectarianism is rife in this area and I don't think we are going to change it until these thugs have a bit of fear put in them.

"Flogging may sound barbaric but these people are barbaric.

"It is so frustrating because they can do what they like to me but if I lifted a finger against them, I would be up for assault.

"I would get hammered just for trying to look after my own property.

"The only way to stop this is to put the fear of God in them."

The young needs who vandalised the door were caught in action by a CCTV camera.

Father Dunn has handed the tape to Strathclyde Police, who confirmed they were investigating.

Catholic Church spokesman Peter Kearney said yesterday: "This is a very sad indication of the background religious intolerance that still exists in Scotland and which priests face week in, week out."

A few weeks ago, Catholic leaders called for better police protection for Glasgow priests after a spate of assaults and church raids.

Two of the incidents involved attacks on elderly priests.

Corpun file 17708

Daily Record, Glasgow, 28 May 2006

Flood of support for Father Flog'em

A PRIEST has received a flood of messages from wellwishers after calling for the return of public flogging.

Father Stephen Dunn, 44, demanded the return of the birch last week after thugs scrawled sectarian graffiti on the door of his chapel house.

Yesterday, Father Dunn, who has been the victim of a two-year hate campaign, said he was "delighted" by the response.

The priest, of the Sacred Heart Church, in Bridgeton, Glasgow, said: "I know it is barbaric but it is comforting that so many people share my views.

"I have had so many phone calls and letters of support from people of all denominations since I spoke out.

"If bringing back birching in George Square on alternate Saturdays is the only way to end the thuggery then so be it.

"I think the law-abiding public have had enough of being abused by these thugs and they too want them punished."

He called on First Minister [of Scotland -- C.F.] Jack McConnell to take action against the "reign of terror".

He said: "McConnell seems to be all talk and no action. If he really wants to stop sectarianism then he must consider more hardline options like birching."

Father Dunn was punched by a bigot last year, his home has been attacked and he is regularly taunted in the street.

He added: "I am just trying to serve the community and evil thugs are making my life hell.

"Sectarianism is rife in this area but the time has come to stand up against this evil."