News / Fined for shouting IRA slogan
A FORTY three year old man has been fined £150 for making a “religiously offensive” remark in the centre of Lerwick last autumn.
Ross Morrison, of 1A Union Cottage, Lerwick, admitted behaving in a threatening or abusive manner by shouting “up the RA” at Lerwick’s Commercial Street on 10 October.
Police spotted a drunk Morrison while on patrol in the centre of town. After he shouted something and raised both of his hands at the vehicle, officers warned him about his conduct.
He then walked around 20 metres before shouting the well-known slogan, a reference to the IRA.
Defending himself, Morrison said it was “a silly comment, out of character and I apologise for it”.
Sheriff Philip Mann acknowledged it had been a first offence and fined him £150, reduced from £200 to reflect his guilty plea, with £50 attributed to the element of religious aggravation involved.
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