A 56-YEAR-OLD Irish priest was remanded in custody when he appeared in court accused of attempting to disrupt the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.
Kerry-born Fr Neil Horan, of Howbury Road, Nunhead, south east London, is facing one count of aggravated trespass following the incident at the Northamptonshire circuit on Sunday.
No plea was entered and magistrates in Northampton yesterday adjourned the case for seven days.
Horan spoke only to confirm his full name, Cornelius Horan, age and address during the brief hearing. His next appearance before the court will be via video-link from prison.
Applying unsuccessfully for bail, Horan's solicitor said he was on sabbatical and a man of "strong and moral views on religion".
Horan is alleged to have tried to disrupt the race which was eventually won by the Ferrari driver Rubens Barrichello.
He is alleged to have got on to one of the fastest sections of the track, the Hangar Straight. Some cars had to take evasive action and swerve.
Millions of TV viewers worldwide watched as the man dressed in a kilt ran on to the track waving religious placards. He was wrestled to the ground by a marshal and arrested.
Horan, a former student of St Brendan's College in Killarney, is no stranger to the media with his 'peace dances'. He is originally from south Kerry.
His trademark outfit is a kilt, ginger wig, Roman collar and Star of David.
Last year he wrote to Saddam Hussein offering to perform his peace dance for him and his family.
During the Iraq war he donned his Irish dancing costume and performed his peace dance outside the House of Commons.
"I'm no Michael Flatley but it's not a question of expertise - it's a question of doing what you have a talent for and entertaining people," he has said.
Horan, who has been suspended from priestly duties, was ordained by Bishop Eamonn Casey at St Mary's Cathedral, Killarney in June 1973. His first posting was to the parish of Bexley, Kent.
While in England, he attended a lecture by a religious sect which, he says, changed his life.