Former priest Neil Horan, who earned global notoriety for disrupting the men's marathon in Athens last summer and dashing on to the track at the Silverstone Grand Prix in 2003, has been barred by a court from going anywhere near the London Marathon course on April 17th.
Dressed in his customary brown kilt, green waistcoat and green tam-o'-shanter, the ex-priest, laicised last January, represented himself yesterday at the brief hearing at Camberwell Magistrates' Court in south London.
Claiming he did not wish to oppose the order, he said: "I have taken the Bible to the world stage on two great sporting events.
"I won't need to do it a third time because the Gospel requires me to do it just twice.
"I am quite happy to declare that my public mission is over in that sense."
The former priest tried to disrupt last year's London Marathon and failed but insisted he would not be repeating his activities this year.
He called London's biggest sporting event "small fry" compared with the games in Greece. Referring to the Olympics and Silverstone, he added: "I think these great events were actually picked for me by the hand of God.
"I am delighted that I was able to use them to spread my message." Although such a ban usually lasts for two years, it was made clear to Mr Horan that the order only applies to the day of the marathon. He will not be allowed into any of the boroughs where the marathon takes place, but an exception has been made for parts of Southwark, where he lives.
Supt Peter Vincent said: "The MPS has taken this action today as we were aware of Mr Horan's attempts to disrupt the London Marathon in 2004.
"He subsequently came to attention when he stepped out in front of the leading runner in the men's marathon event at the Olympic Games in Athens in August 2004." Supt Vincent said participants, spectators and supporters were entitled to enjoy such events without disruption from "individuals seeking self-publicity". - (PA)