A man has been summoned to appear in court over charges stemming from a clash between two groups during Sunday mass in the car park of a Catholic church in Co Donegal, reports Breaking News.
Michael McDonagh (35) faces a charge of using threatening and abusive behaviour with the intention of causing a breach of the peace.
As one social media user said: “It’s their culture, boss – they’re always at it”.
Letterkenny District Court heard the charge relates to a serious altercation that occurred outside the Church of the Irish Martyrs in Letterkenny on August 18th, 2024, reports Breaking News.
Garda Sergeant Maurice Doyle told the court that McDonagh was behaving aggressively “towards another family.”
It was alleged that McDonagh was heard making the remark: “you will get it – bang, bang.”
At a prior court sitting, it was revealed that mass attendees had been told to remain inside after a confrontation erupted in the church’s car park during the service, reports Breaking News.
McDonagh, who resides at the Big Isle in Letterkenny, was not present in court, though pleas had been entered for several charges.
Among the other charges were incidents of drug driving at Drumnahoagh, Letterkenny, on December 19th, 2021, and on the N14 at Lifford on March 21st, 2024, reports Breaking News.
The court was informed that the accused had submitted guilty pleas to the offences.
Judge Eiteain Cunningham inquired about the nature of the church event at the time of the incident and was told it had been a funeral mass, reports Breaking News.
McDonagh’s solicitor, Frank Dorrian, described his client as a relatively young man facing certain personal struggles.
He said that one of the reasons for McDonagh’s absence from court was due to his distressed emotional condition, reports Breaking News.
Mr Dorrian acknowledged that the event was highly inappropriate but said McDonagh’s involvement had been limited to verbal exchanges.
He further noted that others linked to the incident were being sent forward to stand trial at Letterkenny Circuit Court.
The solicitor asked Judge Cunningham to consider McDonagh’s role as minor, emphasizing that his client was experiencing “great emotional difficulty,” reports Breaking News.
Judge Cunningham, however, disagreed, saying she did not see this as “minimal interaction” and insisted that McDonagh should appear in court in person.
“I don’t think any order could be done in his absence,” added the Judge, reports Breaking News.
The case has been adjourned until July 3rd.
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