Violent customer killed pub landlord who threw him out bar

A violent customer killed a pub landlord who threw him out of a Glasgow bar.

Thomas Conaghan, 59, was ejected by Peter Derrick for making homophobic remarks.

The 58-year-old struggled to get Conaghan out onto the street. Shortly after returning to the pub, Mr Derrick collapsed having suffered a cardiac arrest.

The dad-of-two – who had been in good health – never recovered and died 12 days later in hospital.

Conaghan, who already had a history of violence, is now behind bars after pleading guilty to a culpable homicide charge at the High Court in Glasgow on Friday.

Conaghan admitted struggling with his victim, attempting to hit him, as well as repeatedly banging and pushing on the door of the pub.

He will be sentenced next month.

The incident occurred during a quiet afternoon in Mr Derrick’s family-run Viceroy Bar in Paisley Road West last July 17.

Conaghan refused to leave after making offensive remarks to customers and “struggled violently” with the landlord, who eventually managed to push him out.

CCTV played in court showed Mr Derrick suddenly slumping to the ground.

Those inside the bar administered CPR before the ambulance arrived, however Mr Derrick later died on July 29 having remained in a coma.

He was found to have suffered a cardiac arrest and a hypoxic brain injury.

A post-mortem revealed he also had a heart disease, which meant he was “susceptible” to a potentially fatal attack.

Prosecutor Maryam Labaki said: “The pathologists conclude Mr Derrick’s ejection of Conaghan was a significantly stressful event and, because of the underlying heart disease, there is a clear link between the incident and the cardiac arrest.”

The court was told Conaghan suffers from a disorder that affects his “thinking and cognitive function”, but that he is “responsible for his actions”.

Margaret Breslin, defending, said he wished to “express his genuine sorrow” for the killing.

Following the tragedy, Mr Derrick’s family started a fundraising drive to install life-saving defibrillators from the Viceroy Bar to Rangers’ Ibrox Stadium.

His daughter Robyn said at the time: “I want to focus on helping other families. Our family want to give others a chance.

“A cardiac arrest can happen to anyone. Every moment is precious. One minute or five minutes. It makes a difference.”