Scottish Catholic Observer

Glasgow SNP MSP James Dornan received the anti-Irish email (right) last week, which details violent plans for May 1 including burning down churches and stabbing and shooting Catholics to ‘earn points.’

The politician was left sickened by the contents, which he revealed on March 27, and has reported the abuse to the police.

The emailed image states: “On May 1 we urge all Protestants to stand up and put all Fenians back in their place as it is time for our religion to fight the plastic Irish in our country.

“These Fenian b******s have infiltrated our society, our councils and our government as well as high ranking officials in law.”

It finishes: “We will be mastered by no Fenian b*****d. No surrender ever. F**k the Pope.”

The sectarian email goes on to suggest burning down chapels, stabbing, shooting and putting Catholics in hospital as ways to ‘earn points.’

Islamaphobia

Transport Minister Humza Yousaf condemned the sickening plans, which appear to mimic a similar Islamaphobic ‘punish a Muslim’ campaign which has been widely condemned by politicians and the media.

On Twitter, he said: “Shocking. Vile stuff. All it takes is one person to act upon this and folk will get hurt.”

Asked during First Minister’s Questions on March 29 about the Islamaphobic campaign, the First Minister condemned the sickening attack. She made no mention of the ‘Smash a Fenian’ poster.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Police have received a complaint regarding an offensive communication and enquiries are ongoing.”

Prejudice poll

A Panelbase poll for The Sunday Times this week found that 20 per cent of Catholics report that they have personally experienced abuse or prejudice in relation to their religious beliefs in the past five years.

A spokesman for the Church, said: “The fact that twice as many Catholics have experienced prejudice or abuse as the general population is a sad indication of lingering anti-Catholicism in Scotland.

“Recent government figures on religiously aggravated offending showed that 57 per cent of all reported offences were directed at Catholics and there had been a 14 per cent increase in offences.

“Catholics only comprise around 16 per cent of the population but are the target in over half of all religious hate crimes.

Ironically, increased funding for anti-sectarianism projects has been matched by an increase in sectarianism.”