AN ARTIST from Auchinleck has appeared in court after the artwork he created in tribute to the victims of the Vienna terrorist attacks came under scrutiny.

On September 21, Brian Carey was found not guilty of breach of the peace at Ayr Sheriff Court regarding the artwork which he claims was done in “support” of the victims and families of those killed in the gun attack on November 2, 2020.

Four people were killed in the Austrian capital when a lone gunman opened fire in a popular nightlife spot just hours before the city was to enter a Covid-19 lockdown.

Two days after the attacks, Mr Carey erected his artwork in Glenshamrock Forest. The work was created using flytipping materials found close to the area, with fly-tipped paint used to write the words ‘not only animals slaughtered right now, united against Islamist terrorism’ on boards.

Mr Carey claims he used the site as Covid restrictions were in place at the time, meaning he couldn’t travel to Glasgow where he normally showcases his art.

Irvine Times:

He said: “This is the first time I’ve ended up in court. I told the court I’ve been covering conflict from way back from Afghanistan, doing work about British troops back in 2011.

“The artwork was to do with the attack in Vienna when an Islamist terrorist murdered four people.

“I told the court I had various letters and references backing me up for the work I’ve did in previously supporting Muslims.”

He added: “I had references of support from a Syrian Human Rights lawyer, now a refugee forced to flee his beloved country, a young Afghanistan refugee gentleman and a Yemen Humanitarian whose charity, Mona Relief, tries its hardest to help feed the poorest in his conflict stricken country.

“It was a show of strength against these Islamist terrorists so I had all the evidence in the world to back me up that true believers in peace don’t want anything to do with terrorist organisations.”

A spokesperson for Ayr Sheriff Court said: “ On 21st September 2021 Mr Carey appeared at this Court for trial on a charge that on 4th November 2020 at Glenshamrock Forest, Auchinleck he did commit a contravention of Section 38(1) of the Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010.

“Mr Carey was found not guilty.”