Priest saved by hand of God walks free
A Kerry priest who disrupted this year’s British Grand Prix has walked free from jail despite a two-month prison jail sentence for aggravated trespass.
Neil Horan said he had no regrets about his actions as he believed had been protected by God as he ran onto the Silverstone circuit in July as cars sped past at up to 180mph.
Race marshals at the time feared a crash caused by drivers avoiding the 56-year-old priest could have caused carnage.
Horan — who hails from Scartaglin in Co Kerry and has lived in London since the 1970s —was wrestled to the ground by track officials as millions watched the incident on television across the world.
Horan told police he acted because earlier attempts to promote his religious views through the media had failed.
Probation officer Courtney Jones told the Northampton court Horan had psychological problems going back more than 30 years and was on sabbatical from the priesthood.
Leaving court Horan said he would not stage any more public demonstrations but had no regrets about his actions.
He said: “The moment I stepped on to the course there was an unseen hand that gave me power.
“That unseen hand was God. Not for one moment did I think I would die.
“I do believe that it saved the drivers as well because I would simply hate a driver to be injured or even killed.”
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