Neil Lennon bomb accused trial put back

The trial of two men accused of plotting the death of Celtic FC manager Neil Lennon will now take place next week.

Trevor Muirhead, 43, and Neil McKenzie, 42, are accused of conspiring to kill Lennon, as well as former MSP Trish Godman and lawyer Paul McBride QC, as well as various people in the premises of Irish Nationalist group Cairde Na hEireann in Glasgow, by sending improvised explosive devices to them last year.

They deny the charges against them.

The two men appeared at the High Court in Glasgow this morning.

Following a brief hearing, proceedings were adjourned until Monday.

They are accused of sending Lennon a package they believed was an improvised explosive device, capable of igniting and exploding, causing severe injury and death to another person.

McKenzie, from Saltcoats in Ayrshire, and Muirhead, from Kilwinning in Ayrshire, are also charged with sending similar devices to Ms Godman at an address in Bridge of Weir, Renfrewshire and to Cairde Na hEireann in Glasgow.

It is alleged the package sent to Mr McBride at Advocates' Library, Parliament House, Edinburgh comprised a plastic bottle containing petrol, with wire attached, a plastic glove, nails and watch component.

They are charged with sending the devices with the intention they would ignite and explode when opened, causing severe injury and death to the recipients.

The pair face the alternative charge that they conspired to cause an explosion "likely to endanger life or cause serious injury to property".

They also face four further charges which include attempting to defeat the ends of justice and sending an item by post to Lennon at Celtic Park on March 3 or 4 last year, intending him to think it was likely to explode or ignite.

PA