Third man held over death threats to Oldham manager who praised SF’s McGuinness

A third man has been arrested after a death threat letter was sent to the new manager of Oldham Athletic football club.

Darren Kelly, who was appointed boss at the League One club last week, rejected claims that he supported the IRA after he reportedly called Sinn Féin politician and Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness “a legend” on Twitter.

Darren Kelly in his Derry City days.

Kelly, 35, from Derry, was said to have made the comment as he retweeted a photograph of his mother meeting former IRA boss Mr McGuinness at an event marking the anniversary of Bloody Sunday.

On Monday, police were called to Oldham’s SportsDirect.com Park ground after the club received the letter.

A 27-year-old man and a 42-year-old man were subsequently arrested on suspicion of making threats to kill and later bailed until June 15 pending further inquiries.

Yesterday, a 31-year-old man was detained on suspicion of making threats to kill. He remains in police custody for questioning.

Detective Inspector Jason Byrne, of Greater Manchester Police, said: “The letter sent to the club made some extremely serious threats to a number of individuals and we are treating this matter with the utmost seriousness.

“We are also aware of equally vitriolic comments that have been made on social media and this too forms part of our investigation.

“We have now made three arrests after a third man that we were keen to speak to handed himself in to a police station yesterday.

“I would also ask anyone who has information about the letter or those behind it to contact us.”