Hundreds march from Ibrox to celebrate life of Rangers-daft Kory McCrimmon as parents demand end to violence on streets

Scottish Sun

4 hours ago

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THE parents of stabbing victim Kory McCrimmon led marchers in a celebration of their tragic son - and urged the government to end violence on the streets.
Despite horrendous conditions, Kory's family were undeterred in sending a message to Scotland's justice minister - and called for hope to be returned to the streets.
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The family of Kory McCrimmon marched from Ibrox in memory of him
Credit: PA
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The 16-year-old died after being stabbed in the heart in a row over £50 in May 2024
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The youth footballer was fatally injured at Greenfield Park in the east end of Glasgow
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The lad's dad Neil McCrimmon gave a speech calling for an end to youth violence
Credit: PA
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Heartbroken Neil spoke with Rangers icon Mark Hateley outside Ibrox
Credit: PA
The heavens opened as their Parents Against Knives procession kicked off after the youngster's dad Neil, 57, and mum Elizabeth, 44, were greeted by Rangers legend Mark Hateley at Ibrox before walking four miles to Celtic Park.
The couple released a blue love-heart balloon with the words, 'love mum and dad' into the sky .
They then unfurled a large banner emblazoned with their darling boy's picture and the words 'Parents Against Knives, Save Our Children'.
The marchers carried on through the sodden streets to Celtic's ground, which sits right next to their home in the Barrowfield area of the city.
The crowd - many clutching umbrellas and donning rain macs over their light blue campaign t-shirts - put one foot in front of the other, chanting, "1, 2, 3, 4, too many, too much, no more".
Neil said: 'We're here to put hope back on the streets. The justice minister says there's no crisis, of course there is.
"Tell her to stand in my shoes and tell me there's no crisis. I'm not saying we need to change our government, I'm saying we need to change our policies.
"I'm so proud everybody has come out today to put out a bit of hope and celebrate Kory's life. I'm overjoyed by it.'
Elizabeth, who is a carer, added: 'We're here to highlight what's going on within our city, with all these young boys dying. Three in a year, it is unacceptable.
"It can't keep happening, so if this is what we need for something to be done, then I hope it does.'
Teen killer, 13, threatened to 'chop up' schoolboy, 16, before stabbing him to death amid Glasgow 'young team' rivalry
Kory - a keen footballer and Rangers fan - was only 16-years-old when he was stabbed in the heart after a confrontation in a park in Springboig, Glasgow, last May.
He died two days later in hospital and his killer, who was just 13, had swapped threats on social media in a row over £50.
The killer, now 14, was charged with murder but a guilty plea to the lesser offence of culpable homicide was accepted.
He was given five years' detention in May.
Kory's brother Jamie McNab, described the event as 'emotional', adding: 'It's been a great response to what we've done and it shows that people really do care and they want to step up and take action.
"Kory was so full of life, so happy, mischievous but at the same time, so kind-hearted. He would do anything for anybody.
"It's hard that he's not here right now.'
The 23-year-old, who owns a scrap business, encouraged those in power to be leaders and take action, adding: "As a boy that's grown up in rough communities, there's no community policing, there's no community centres, there's nothing for kids to do so the only they can do is walk around the streets and run riot, there's no controlling it."
The family of dad-to-be Jamie McGready, 33, who was stabbed to death in a flat in Govan, Glasgow, in 2020, also showed up to support the cause.
His dad James, 65, an office furniture fitter, and wearing a blue t-shirt showing a picture of Jamie and his nickname 'Jaggy', said: 'We're all here to help try and get the message across.
"Our justice system is too weak. There should be heavy punishment for even carrying a blade - you carry one for one reason only.'
Celtic legend Tosh McKinley was there to greet the sodden but spirited walkers at Celtic Park, before dad Neil gave an emotive speech giving thanks and telling youngsters: 'This is bigger than Kory, it's about you, to put down the knives and try and make a difference.'