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A former gangster says he is "mystified" over who could be behind a gangland vendetta that has left a Lanarkshire village living in fear. Hugh O'Donnell, 67, has seen three of his restaurants targeted in firebomb attacks in Bothwell, causing significant distress to locals experiencing a constant threat of fires. O'Donnell, who is unable to determine why his wife Marion and daughters' businesses have been singled out, 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." He added: "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." Local businesses, politicians, and residents have backed businessman O'Donnell's calls for an intensified police response to the firebombing "chaos", reports the Daily Record. The village has been tormented by a relentless series of cowardly, late-night attacks on restaurants, cars, and homes, with many believed to be orchestrated by organised crime figures. Bothwell's Main Street was hit hard when popular eatery Nel and Co was ravaged by fire following an attack in the early hours of Wednesday, while the upscale Cut steak restaurant also suffered significant damage from a suspected petrol bomb last month. Two years ago, the long-established Da Luciano restaurant, linked to O'Donnell and managed by his family, was obliterated by two separate late-night arson attacks. It now stands as a derelict site. O'Donnell said he believes that policing in Bothwell needs reassessment, with more resources allocated towards identifying those responsible for the crime wave in what was once a peaceful 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 management of the restaurants, which have been overseen by his 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 are situated directly next 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 residents claim the grim remains of the business has cast a shadow over the village centre. A local business owner, who wished to remain anonymous, 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." He added: "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 pointed out the success of Operation Portaledge, which has resulted in 57 arrests since its launch in March this year, targeting individuals involved 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." Following the fire at Nel and Co, local MSP Stephanie Callaghan said: "I've been in touch with Police Scotland this morning following the latest fire at Nell and 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 expressed his support for a stronger 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 acknowledged that residents 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." Join Glasgow Live's WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages. 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 sentenced to six months behind bars in 2004 for operating a brothel in Glasgow's West End. He was a prominent figure in Glasgow, with links to the Seventh Heaven lap dancing club. He also mingled with the rich and famous as a wealthy racehorse owner. And in 2000, a bizarre love triangle was exposed by Hollywood superstar Brad Pitt in an extraordinary interview with the Daily Record. Pitt shared experience of being chased out of Glasgow following a week-long affair with a gangster's girlfriend during a cultural visit to the city, where he admired the architecture of renowned Charles Rennie Mackintosh. The gangster was later revealed to be Hugh O'Donnell. In Pitt's remarkable account, he detailed visiting specific pubs, hotels and nightclubs with attractive barmaid Jillian Lamb, who later corroborated all the details provided by Pitt. The actor had just wrapped up filming for the movie, Interview with the Vampire, alongside Tom Cruise. He also attended a house party in unassuming Drumchapel - and raved about the delicious bowls of home-made soup he'd enjoyed at the girl's mother's flat on Maryhill Road. Sign up to our daily Glasgow Live newsletter here to receive news and features direct to your inbox.
