I was wrongly jailed for Ice Cream War murders – now I’m telling my side of the story

A MAN wrongly jailed for the Ice Cream Wars murders is finally to tell his side of the story, vowing: “I just want the truth to come out.”

Joe Steele, 62, says he is set to reveal all in a book, days from the 40th anniversary of the blaze killings.

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He will detail his struggle for justice during 18 years behind bars for supposedly torching the home of van driver Andrew Doyle, claiming six lives including an 18-month-old baby.

Steele and the late Thomas ‘TC’ Campbell were both caged for the murders — the deadly fall-out from a gangland feud that ripped through Glasgow’s east end.

After their convictions were sensationally quashed in 2004, Steele shunned offers to write memoirs as he said nothing could make the Doyles’ loved ones “feel better”.

But he revealed he wanted to guarantee future generations of his own family knew the full story of his fight for justice.

Joe said: “I just want the truth to come out. Eventually I’m not going to be here.

“I’ve got kids, I’ve got grandkids, I’ve got a great grandchild.

“I don’t want all this c**p following them all over the years like they have done with us.

“I just want to tell my side of the story before I go.

“After that they can say what they want.

“I know in my heart my young ones will know what I’ve said and that’s the truth.”

The murders followed a bitter and often violent battle for control of the lucrative ice cream routes in the city.

But Steele disputed the long-standing claims of a link to drug dealings, adding: “All this c**p about drugs and ice-cream vans. That’s pure nonsense.”

Steele always maintained his innocence and in 1993 escaped Edinburgh’s Saughton jail, then fled to London where he glued himself to Buckingham Palace gates to protest at his conviction.

Andrew, 18, plus dad James, brothers James Jnr, 23, Anthony, 14, sister Christina Halleran, 25, and her toddler Mark Doyle, 18 months, were all killed in the fire at the property in Ruchazie, Glasgow, on April 16, 1984.

But Joe, of the city’s Garthamlock rubbished claims that suspect Gary Moore confessed to the horror before his 2010 death.

It was claimed late crime lord Tam ‘The Licensee’ McGraw ordered the hit.

Steele has previously said he will not name the person who carried out the attack. He hinted: “I’m quite sure in my mind they have told someone in their family.

“They’ve got to look in the mirror. I’ve not got to worry about it.”