THE boss of a community centre funded by public cash faces an official probe over criminal links.

The crackdown follows years of complaints about Eddie Lyons Snr - boss of Glasgow's Chirnsyde Community Initiative.

We first revealed concern at Lyons' role at the centre in 2003 and only last month told how £63,000 of drugs money had been seized in a house owned by him.

Glasgow City Council fund the centre's activities to the tune of £80,000 a year.

But arts and culture department boss, First Minister's wife Bridget McConnell, has threatened to pull the plug on the cash.

City councillors have ordered an independent probe into how the centre is run and the results of Disclosure Scotland checks on Lyons' crime record.

And they have withheld HALF this year's funding until the outcome of the probe.

Lyons, 48, has been linked to organised crime and members of his family have stood trial for rape, violence and drug dealing.

Several years ago a man was almost beaten to death after a confrontation at Chirnsyde, in the tough Milton area.

Eddie Snr. was among several Lyons charged over the sickening attack but only one young associate was convicted.

And a firebomb attack at Chirnsyde, over which a member of the rival Daniel clan was charged, prompted fears for kids' safety.

The new probe follows the shock by-election victory of SNP councillor Billy McAllister in the Labour stronghold.

But last night he predicted another whitewash following four previous council reports into the workings at Chirnsyde. He said: "It's vital that the investigation examines issues of criminality and violence at Chirnsyde and the Disclosure Scotland checks on Eddie Lyons Snr. "My fears are that this will be yet another council whitewash prompted purely by my election.

"Countless people have told us about their concerns over the Lyons family but they are too scared to speak out."

Last night a Glasgow City Council spokesman said: "We are in discussion with the management committee of Chirnsyde regarding setting up an independent inquiry at this facility.

"The exact nature of the areas to be examined is subject to discussions between the council and the management committee."

SUNDAY EMAIL

r.findlay@sundaymail.co.uk

BarrheadTravel.co.uk