BY: Kim Waters
Source: dailymercury.com.au
Australia - CAMPBELL Newman's laws against outlaw motorcycle gangs
have been tested once again following the second funeral in two months
for a bikie club member in Mackay.
Motorcycle riders attending Ian Richard "Hairy" Hehir's funeral
yesterday left alone or in pairs as a heavy police presence kept a close
watch.
A Mackay police spokesman said nothing "out of the ordinary" had been reported following the celebration of life service for the Outlaws club member at Newhaven Chapel.
Police officers and motorcycle riders milled about on the footpath of the service station near the chapel while a breath testing station was set up further down on the other side of the road.
A funeral notice for "Hairy" said the former owner of Whitsunday Waterslide would be sadly missed by his "brothers".
Mr Hehir's family operated the waterslide between 1991 and 1993 at the Harbour Rd site now occupied by the Mackay Indoor Sports Arena.
It's the second time in two months that police have monitored a bikie club member's funeral in Mackay.
A heavy police presence overshadowed Rebels Motorcycle Club member Gregory "Dodgie" Arthur Delbridge's funeral last month.
Four police cars were strategically placed along Harbour Road during the service to keep an eye on funeral goers.
Following Mr Delbridge's funeral, a Queensland police spokesperson told the Daily Mercury legislation surrounding "criminal participants knowingly being present in a public place" did not provide any exemption for funerals.
The spokesperson said the wearing of "colours" in a public place and lawfully riding a motorcycle were not illegal.
A Mackay police spokesman said nothing "out of the ordinary" had been reported following the celebration of life service for the Outlaws club member at Newhaven Chapel.
Police officers and motorcycle riders milled about on the footpath of the service station near the chapel while a breath testing station was set up further down on the other side of the road.
A funeral notice for "Hairy" said the former owner of Whitsunday Waterslide would be sadly missed by his "brothers".
Mr Hehir's family operated the waterslide between 1991 and 1993 at the Harbour Rd site now occupied by the Mackay Indoor Sports Arena.
It's the second time in two months that police have monitored a bikie club member's funeral in Mackay.
A heavy police presence overshadowed Rebels Motorcycle Club member Gregory "Dodgie" Arthur Delbridge's funeral last month.
Four police cars were strategically placed along Harbour Road during the service to keep an eye on funeral goers.
Following Mr Delbridge's funeral, a Queensland police spokesperson told the Daily Mercury legislation surrounding "criminal participants knowingly being present in a public place" did not provide any exemption for funerals.
The spokesperson said the wearing of "colours" in a public place and lawfully riding a motorcycle were not illegal.
