A Scottish football club has launched an investigation after reports an image of loyalist killer Michael Stone appeared at its stadium.
Photographs show an image of Stone on the big screen at Tynecastle stadium before last night’s SPFL game between Hearts and Celtic.
It appears Hearts were duped after issuing a request for supporters’ pics ahead of kick-off.
Today the club said its fans’ social service had been “abused”.
Several photos of the incident are circulating online.
A user, whose account appears to have been deleted, replied to a request on X from Hearts for fan messages.
They posted: “My mate michaels (sic) first game in years, here’s a old photo of him coming through the turnstiles”.
The message was accompanied by an old snap of Stone, taken in the late 1990s as he left the Maze Prison on temporary Christmas release.
Stone killed three people in a gun and grenade attack at Milltown Cemetery in west Belfast following an IRA funeral in 1988.
He was convicted of three other killings: milkman Patrick Brady in south Belfast in 1984; Kevin McPolin in Lisburn in 1985 and Dermott Hackett in 1987
After being freed after the Good Friday Agreement, he was sent back to prison after entering Stormont in 2006 armed with explosives and an axe in an attempt to murder Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness.
Hearts have apologised and pledged to review their procedures.
A spokesperson said: “Our fans’ social service was abused by someone online, leading to an image appearing on the stadium’s big screens, and we apologise for any offence caused.
“We will review our procedures internally to ensure this type of misuse is not repeated.”
Celtic won the match 4-1.
