Ex-priest Horan barred from London marathon

Irish ex-priest Neil Horan was today served with an Anti-Social Behaviour Order (Asbo) to ensure he does not disrupt next month…

Irish ex-priest Neil Horan was today served with an Anti-Social Behaviour Order (Asbo) to ensure he does not disrupt next month's London Marathon.

I won't need to do it a third time because the Gospel requires me to do it just twice
Neil Horan

Mr Horan (57), who was defrocked in January, has carried out a number of stunts which have seen him end up in prison.

He earned global notoriety for disrupting the men's marathon in the Athens Olympics last summer and dashing on to the track at the Silverstone Grand Prix in 2003.

Today, he was served with the Asbo barring him from going anywhere near the London Marathon course on April 17th. Dressed in his customary brown kilt, green waistcoat and green tam-o'-shanter, the ex-priest represented himself at the brief hearing at Camberwell Magistrates' Court in south London.

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Claiming he did not wish to oppose the order, he said: "I have taken the Bible to the world stage on two great sporting events.

"I won't need to do it a third time because the Gospel requires me to do it just twice. I am quite happy to declare that my public mission is over in that sense."

Outside the court, Mr Horan, from Nunhead, south London, said it was time for people to focus on his spiritual message rather than his protest antics.

He is convinced there will be a second coming and Jesus Christ will reign - literally - in Jerusalem for 1,000 years. "Now that I have brought the Bible to people's attention, it is time for people to concentrate on my beliefs and my message and not Neil Horan."

The colourful figure tried to disrupt last year's London Marathon and failed but insisted he would not be repeating his activities this year. He called the capital's biggest sporting event "small fry" compared with the Games in Greece.

Referring to the Olympics and Silverstone, he added: "I think these great events were actually picked for me by the hand of God.

"I am delighted that I was able to use them to spread my message." Although an Asbo usually lasts for two years, it was made clear to Mr Horan that the order only applies to the day of the marathon.

PA