Rail passenger jailed for his ‘IRA bomb’ rant at Falkirk High Station

Kieran Denvir (46) made frequent references to the terrorist group in front of alarmed passengers, including women and children, on an evening ScotRail train between Glasgow Queen Street and Falkirk High Station.

Denvir, a hod carrier from Belfast, was using the pronouns “I” and “we” to refer to the IRA and was heard to say “they’re good lads”, Falkirk Sheriff Court was told.

A woman with a 10-year-old child asked him to moderate his language, while other passengers coaxed him into the vestibule area of the train away from the youngster.

Michael Maguire, procurator fiscal depute, said: “The accused made reference to British troops in Northern Ireland and said the IRA could teach Al Qaeda a thing or two about making bombs.”

“He told passengers ‘I’m with the IRA. We give you two hours notice, we’ve always given you two hours notice, I’m giving you two hours notice’. He added, ‘You should be thankful’ and said there was a bomb, but didn’t specify its location.”

One passenger rang 999, and when the train stopped at Falkirk High Station, Denvir asked two passengers who were also alighting to help him off the train with two large, heavy suitcases.

Mr Maguire said they repeatedly asked him what was in the suitcases, but he made no reply and began to cry.

The depute procurator fiscal said the “clearly concerned” passengers rang 999 again.

Denvir was arrested and officers ordered the immediate evacuation of the station and the surrounding area, causing “some disruption” to the railway, but no bomb was found.

He pled guilty to causing a breach of the peace by claiming to be a member of a proscribed organisation, making comments in support of a proscribed organisation, and uttering bomb threats on December 8 last year.

Defence solicitor Dougal Grant said: “These were the drunken ramblings of a man who is not and has never been associated with the IRA or explosives of any kind. With the benefit of a sober mind he very much regrets the concern caused by his actions to his fellow passengers, police officers and ScotRail staff.”

Sentencing Denvir to 12 months in prison – back dated to December 9, 2019 – Sheriff John Mundy said he regarded the offence as a “very serious” breach of the peace, especially as the police had deemed it necessary for Falkirk High Station to be evacuated.