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A former underworld figure claims he is “mystified” at who is behind a gangland vendetta that has terrorised a Scots village. Three restaurants associated with Hugh O’Donnell, 67, have been targeted in firebomb raids in historic Bothwell, Lanarkshire, where locals claim lives are being severely impacted by the constant threat of blazes. O’Donnell , 67, claims he cannot work out who or why the businesses, run by his wife Marion and daughters, have been targeted. He said: “I can categorically tell you that I don’t know who is behind this and I cannot think of any grudge that would have led to such damage being inflicted. “It is fair to say that I may have had certain associations 20 years ago but my life is very different now. I’m a pensioner and I’m very interested in a quiet life.” Businessman O’Donnell’s calls for a ramped-up police crackdown on the firebomb “chaos” have been supported by local businesses, politicians and residents. The village has been plagued by an endless series of cowardly, late-night attacks on restaurants, cars and homes - with many believed to have been ordered by the same organised crime figures. The popular Nel and Co eatery on Bothwell’s Main Street was gutted by fire after an attack in the early hours of Wednesday, while the swish Cut steak restaurant was also badly damaged by another suspected petrol bomb last month. And two years ago the long established Da Luciano restaurant, also associated with O’Donnell and run by his family, was destroyed by two separate late-night firebomb attacks. It now lies as a derelict site. O’Donnell said he believes policing in Bothwell needs to be reviewed, with more resources directed to finding out who is behind the crime wave in the formerly quiet village. He said: “Police should be doing more and I would welcome a greater priority being placed on bringing all this to an end. “It is depressing for me to have to deal with this but the fires have a negative effect on all the local businesses and the people who live here.” O’Donnell stressed that he has had no personal involvement in the running of the restaurants, which have been handled by wife Marion. He said: “She has suffered a lot of stress over this and her health isn’t great. “To be honest, we don’t know what the future holds and we don’t know what we will do with the restaurants. We will be having a good think about things in the coming days. We just want an end to this.” The Nel and Co premises lie directly next door to the former San Vincenzo restaurant, which now lies derelict after being firebombed three times and ram-raided twice between 2019 and 2022. It had flourished after opening in the village until the terror attacks. Local people claim the grim remains of the business has cast dread over the village centre. One local business owner, who asked not to be named, said: “This endless criminal stuff has shredded my nerves and I live in dread of more attacks. I worry that my own shop will end up getting torched. “What I don’t understand is that no-one ever seems to get arrested and I wonder how seriously the police are taking it. “It seems to me they can get big results when they plough resources into high priority areas - but all we get is a few extra patrols and then they cut them too. No-one gets arrested or gets the jail." The source cited the example of the current Operation Portaledge - which has made 57 arrests since its launch in March this year, targeting players in the “Tamo Junto” gang war against the Daniel crime gang. They said: “The crimes are similar in many ways and they seem to be rounding up suspects every week in the big gang war. Meanwhile the atmosphere in this village is getting wrecked.” After the Nel and Co blaze erupted, local MSP Stephanie Callaghan said: “I’ve been in touch with Police Scotland this morning following the latest fire at Nell & Co. “The incident is being treated as wilful, and CID-led investigations are ongoing. Police have confirmed that this premises is linked to the same family as the Cut restaurant, which was also targeted in a fire on 13 September. “While both incidents remain active enquiries, I welcome the steps being taken to reassure the community. From tonight, residents will see an increased police presence around Bothwell Main Street during the hours of darkness. “ She added: “Police Scotland has made clear that while they cannot always prevent crime, they do review and react to crime trends and intelligence received daily. "They make assessments based on Threat, Risk, and Harm, then put plans in place to mitigate against these risks. “My thanks go to our emergency services for their swift response and continued efforts to keep Bothwell safe.” Local councillor Cal Johnston-Dempsey said he would welcome a greater police response. He said: “Local people now fear that another fire might occur at any time. It’s not a nice feeling when a village like Bothwell is forced to endure these dreadful incidents again and again. “We have two very good local police officers - but there is only so much they can do. We would all like to see an end to these crimes.” Another local source said: “There are plenty of theories being circulated and half the village agrees there is likely to be one main person calling the shots with the firebombs. “The sad thing is that there are plenty of young people who will do the deed for a couple of hundred quid. “The Bothwell of 2025 is very far removed from the village of the past and there are known drug dealers selling cocaine in housing estates. Most local people would like to just rewind to the times when things were sleepy and low-key. Right now it’s at boiling point.” Police Scotland accepted that people in Bothwell are distressed by the ongoing crimes. Chief Inspector Sarah McArthur said: “We understand these incidents in Bothwell may be worrying for the local community, but I want to offer reassurance that we believe these fires were targeted and there is no wider risk to the public. “We are carrying out regular patrols in the area and anyone with concerns is encouraged to speak to these officers. “Officers from the Criminal Investigation Department in Lanarkshire are continuing with enquiries into the fires.” She added: “If anyone has any information about the fires, they should contact Police Scotland on 101. Hugh O’Donnell, the sole director of Nel and Co, was jailed for six months in 2004 for running a brothel in Glasgow’s West End. He was a well known figure in Glasgow, with connections to the Seventh Heaven lap dancing club. He also rubbed shoulders with the rich and famous as a wealthy racehorse owner. O’Donnell also hit the headlines in a different kind of tale in the Daily Record in 2000. A bizarre love triangle was revealed by Hollywood superstar Brad Pitt in an extraordinary exclusive interview with the Daily Record. Pitt told the Record how he was run out of Glasgow after having a week-long affair with the girlfriend of a gangster during a cultural visit to the city, where he admired the architecture of famed Charles Rennie Mackintosh. The gangster turned out to be Hugh O’Donnell. Pitt’s extraordinary account detailed how he visited specific pubs, hotels and nightclubs with pretty barmaid Jillian Lamb, who later confirmed all the details provided by Pitt. The actor had just finished shooting the movie, Interview with the Vampire, with Tom Cruise. He also attended a house party in modest Drumchapel - and raved about delicious bowls of home-made soup he’d eaten at the girl’s mother’s flat in Maryhill Road.
