Horan issued anti-social order ahead of marathon

NEIL Horan, the Irish-born former priest who caused havoc at last year’s Olympics, was yesterday served with an Anti-Social Behaviour Order (ASBO) to ensure he does not disrupt next month’s London Marathon.

Horan, 57, was defrocked in January for his madcap daredevil stunts which have seen him end up in prison.

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

Yesterday, the Kerry-born ex-cleric was served with an ASBO barring him from going anywhere near the London Marathon course on April 17.

Dressed in his customary brown kilt and green waistcoat the ex-priest represented himself at the brief hearing at Camberwell Magistrates’ Court in south London.

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,” he said.

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.

Mr Horan will not be allowed into any of the boroughs where the marathon takes place.

It is thought to be the first time an ASBO has been served in relation to a sporting event.