Man's 5-figure settlement over historic Celtic Boys Club abuse claims
A survivor of abuse at Celtic Boys Club has received a five-figure settlement from Celtic Football Club after claiming abuse by Frank Cairney in 1989.Summary
A man in his 50s has received a five-figure out-of-court settlement from Celtic Football Club regarding historic abuse claims. The survivor alleged he was attacked by Frank Cairney at Celtic Boys Club in 1989 and initially faced denial of liability from the club. However, Celtic settled the case just one month after legal action began. The survivor spoke about the lasting mental impact of the abuse, describing a paralyzing shame and confusing feelings of responsibility. He emphasized the importance of perseverance in seeking justice, stating he felt “finally been heard” after previous attempts to report the abuse were ignored.
Richard Pitts, the lawyer leading the case, highlighted the bittersweet nature of the victory, acknowledging the painful reasons behind the legal battle. Frank Cairney, the abuser, was previously jailed for three years in 2019 for similar offenses and was recently escorted by police after a protest outside his home.
The legal action stemmed from claims of sexual abuse, and the settlement aims to provide some measure of closure and justice for the survivor after decades of suffering.
(Source：Glasgow Times)