North of the border, Churches are open and functioning for Public worship whilst just a few miles south go the border, church doors are firmly shut to people of Christian Faith. The southern Irish Government imposed draconian closures of all Churches during lockdowns that limit movement of Irish citizens to just 5 kilometres. But some citizens of Ireland are fighting back, according to the AngloCelt.
Fr. P.J. Hughes, a parish Priest in Mullahoran, Co Cavan which is close to the Northern Irish border was fined €500 by Gardai for breaching Covid Lockdown regulations after someone report him to Gardai.
Last November, authorities had issued a “final warning” about breaching covid lockdown regulations. Back then he told the AngloCelt he felt the restrictions were akin to “living in a police state” or harking back to Penal Law times.
“I have continued to say Mass because I feel it is our Constitutional right to practise our religion,” said Fr Hughes.
The priest is adamant he will continue continue leave the church doors open while celebrating Mass, although he does not advertise the times of the masses.
‘I have been reported again and the gardaí have issued a fine because I celebrated Mass with people present. I will exercise my constitutional right even though people are complaining, even though I am not obeying the bishop when I go against his advice,’ he writes.
The Garda Press Office has refused to confirm or deny that a fine has issued to Fr Hughes saying: ‘It is not the policy of An Garda Síochána to comment on named individuals.’
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