A man has appeared in court facing charges of possessing a slash hook during an incident outside a church in County Donegal, reports The Mirror.
Brian Reilly appeared via video-link before Judge Brendan O’Reilly at Letterkenny District Court.
The court was told that the accused is one of several individuals charged in connection with a disturbance at the Church of the Irish Martyrs in Letterkenny on August 18, 2024, reports The Mirror.
Due to the incident, those attending Sunday mass were required to stay inside as the disturbance unfolded in the porch area of the church.
The confrontation then moved to the car park, where there was a large Garda presence, including uniformed officers, detectives, and members of the Armed Response Unit, reports The Mirror.
Several men were arrested and later charged with different offences, including public order breaches and possession of offensive weapons.
All of the accused were identified as belonging to two feuding families.
One of those facing charges is Brian O’Reilly, aged 29, with an address at Tailteann Drive in Navan, County Meath, reports The Mirror.
O’Reilly is accused that on August 18, 2024, at the Church of the Irish Martyrs, Gortlee Road, Ballyraine, Letterkenny, he participated in violent disorder alongside Michael Reilly Snr, Michael Reilly Jnr, Thomas Reilly, Gary Reilly, and John Paul Reilly. It is alleged they used or threatened unlawful violence together in a manner that would cause a person of reasonable firmness present to fear for their safety or the safety of others, reports The Mirror.
This charge falls under Section 15 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994.
He is also accused of being in possession of a slash hook on the same date and location, allegedly intending to use it unlawfully to harm, incapacitate, or intimidate someone, specifically during a dispute in the church car park involving members of a rival family.
This is an offence under Section 9(5) of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act, 1990, reports The Mirror.
The other individuals named have already appeared before previous sittings of Letterkenny District Court facing related charges.
Defence solicitor Mr Patsy Gallagher told the court that his client is currently serving a prison sentence, reports The Mirror.
He requested that all matters be linked and for his client to appear in court again on September 17 for the service of a book of evidence.
Following the incident, parish priest Fr Ciaran Harkin assured those attending mass that measures had been put in place to prevent such disturbing events from happening again.
He said: “Like many in the parish, I was deeply shocked and indeed angry that you, our 11:30 congregation, had to witness the complete disregard for human life last week and a complete disregard for the sacredness of this chapel and its grounds. For many of you, I know it was a frightening experience and of course, only for the prompt and efficient work of the gardaÃ, it could have been a very serious, violent incident. Without going into any detail, I certainly am a little wiser after this incident. Indeed, more precautions will be taken to ensure that an incident like this will not take place again and any of our parish masses,” reports The Mirror.
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