Minister said ‘no hiding place’ for those who threatened Celtic star Neil Lennon

A unionist minister wrote directly to Celtic star Neil Lennon in 2002 after he had received a death threat hours ahead of playing for Northern Ireland, telling him there “must be no hiding place” for those responsible.

The letter from then Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL) minister Michael McGimpsey said Lennon had “displayed remarkable courage” after he had been jeered by fans at Windsor Park the previous year.

The correspondence is contained in a DCAL file called “Sectarianism in Sport” which is among newly released documents at the Public Record Office in Belfast.

The file also contains a minute of an official meeting where it was suggested Windsor Park did not “create the atmosphere of a neutral venue for major international matches” suggesting this could be resolved by the provision of a new national stadium.

Celtic player Lennon was chosen by then Northern Ireland manager Sammy McIlroy to captain the side in a friendly against Cyprus at Windsor Park in 2002.

A death threat was phoned in to the BBC in the hours leading up to the game, leading to Lennon not taking to the field that night and, ultimately, deciding not to play international football again.

The previous year Lennon had been booed by elements in the crowd at Windsor Park when playing for Northern Ireland.

Mr McGimpsey sent his letter to Lennon at Celtic Football Club on September 4th 2002.

He said: “I have just returned to my office today but during my absence, I followed closely the events in Northern Ireland which surrounded your decision to retire from international football.

“When I first heard the news that someone should make such a threat against a sportsman, I was absolutely appalled.

“Just as there is no place in society for anyone who threatens