Notorious gangland figure Paul Ferris will be laid to rest next week following his death in hospital, the Daily Record can reveal. Ferris, 62, passed away on October 6 at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow after a short illness having been admitted two days earlier.
Funeral details confirmed
Ferris, from Blackhill in the east end of Glasgow, was originally a feared enforcer for Glasgow crime boss and godfather Arthur Thompson Snr collecting debts on his behalf. His funeral is due to take place at Daldowie Crematorium in Uddingston, near Glasgow on Monday October 19.
Daldowie, which is managed by Glasgow City Council, is the same place where Ferris's sworn enemy crime boss Tam "The Licensee" McGraw was laid to rest following his death 19 years ago. It is not known how many figures, if any, from Ferris's criminal past will attend or if there will be a police presence in case of any trouble.
Family and friends pay tribute
However a family friend said: "A large turn out is expected for Paul's funeral. Despite his notoriety and colourful past he was loved by his family."
"He was also a loyal and faithful friend. We are not expecting any trouble but it will be interesting to see who is there on the day."
Career and legal battles
Ferris first came to public attention in 1992 when he was cleared unanimously at the High Court in Glasgow of the murder of Arthur Thompson Jnr - son of Ferris's former boss Arthur Thompson Snr - in what was then the longest trial in Scottish criminal history. Thompson Jnr had been shot dead outside his home in Provanmill, Glasgow while on weekend leave from prison.
Ferris then stood trial at the Old Bailey in London in 1998, where he was convicted of conspiracy to sell or transfer prohibited weapons, deal in firearms, and possess explosives. He was jailed for 10 years - later reduced to seven.
While in prison he brought out his first book, The Ferris Conspiracy. It was turned into Bafta-winning movie The Wee Man, starring Line of Duty star Martin Compston as Ferris.
Later life and legacy
Ferris always claimed he went straight after his release in 2001 on the gun running charges and became a legitimate businessman with interests in security and construction. He also brought out five books documenting his criminal life and had been planning a sequel to The Wee Man and also a third movie.
The Wee Man told the story of Ferris growing up in Glasgow's tough Blackhill area in the 80s and 90s, and how he came to work as an enforcer for crime boss Arthur Thompson snr. Ferris gave his last-ever interview to the Daily Record in July.
He claimed he has never been tempted to go back to his old life. He said he was also aware that people still doubted that he had gone straight.
Ferris has five children and said that none of them are involved in crime, with one working as a chef and another as a forklift driver. Ferris and Tam McGraw became sworn enemies after a bitter fall-out in the early 1990's.
Historical context at Daldowie
Ferris always linked McGraw to the murders of his two friends and associates Joe Hanlon and Bobby Glover, who were also suspected of Arthur Jnr's murder in August 1991. The pair were found dumped in Hanlon's Ford Orion car outside the Cottage Bar in Shettleson, Glasgow on the morning of young Arthur's funeral the following month. Both had been shot dead.
At the time Ferris was remanded in Barlinnie Prison in Glasgow for Arthur Jnr's murder. Ferris and McGraw were also said to have clashed in a violent street brawl in Glasgow in 2002, something Ferris always denied.
Around 1000 mourners said their farewells to 55 year old McGraw at his funeral in August, 2007. There had been talk that Ferris would turn up but he never showed.
Daldowie was also the scene of a bloody brawl ten years ago at a funeral for a well known member of the Traveller community John Connor. Fighting broke out in the car park 15 minutes before the service was due to start and police were called. Two injured men were then taken to hospital for treatment.
