Montreal police said they are upholding its decision to fine bagpiper Jeff McCarthy $221 fine for carrying a Sgian Dubh, a small traditional Scottish dagger.
He was wearing it in his sock, where it is traditionally found, while on break during McGill University’s convocation ceremonies at Place-des-Arts in downtown Montreal.
“I’ve been wearing it for 25 years in public,” he said.
The fine triggered an uproar in Montreal’s Scottish community, forcing Montreal police agreed to take a closer look at the matter.
READ MORE: Montreal bagpiper receives outpouring of support after $221 ticket
On Wednesday, it issued a statement saying they are sticking by the decision.
“I’m not surprised,” McCarthy said.
“I had a feeling that it was going to turn out that way.”
McCarthy is contesting the ticket because for him it’s a question of cultural respect.
“I’m hoping that in the future, the Scottish community will be given that trust, will be given that consideration, because we have to remember that the Scots did a lot for Montreal,” he said.
Lawyer Daniel F. O’Connor, former president of the St. Andrew’s Society, has agreed to represent McCarthy pro bono.
WATCH BELOW: Community rallies behind Montreal bagpiper
In a statement, O’Connor argued while a bylaw prohibits possession of a knife in public without a reasonable excuse, McCarthy had a legitimate reason because he was performing at a convocation.
“Mr. McCarthy is represented by counsel and is filing a plea of ‘not guilty,'” the statement read.
“Mr. McCarthy will be arguing that he did have a reasonable excuse and, therefore, expects to be found not guilty of having infringed this bylaw. A trial date will be established by the court, which will probably be between two and four months from now.”
The bagpiper said he has found support from communities across the country.
READ MORE: UPDATE: Montreal bagpiper fined by police for ceremonial dagger
“People are looking at Montreal from the east coast to the west coast,” McCarthy said.
“They’re all looking inwards and they’re all disappointed as to how this was handled.”
Montreal police said they have reached out to the Black Watch Royal Highland Regiment, where McCarthy is a reservist, to seek advice on how to proceed in the future.
McCarthy was not representing the Black Watch Royal Highland Regiment when he was fined at the Place-des-Arts.
Officers say they will continue to be tolerant of the Sgian Dubh during parades and special events.
Comments