A parish priest in Co Donegal has promised parishioners that steps have been taken after many were left shocked after a row broke out at a recent mass.
Five men were arrested outside the Church of the Irish Martyrs in Letterkenny on Sunday last, August 18th.
It followed a huge row which started inside the church and which spilled out into the carpark of the church.
A large squad of detectives, some armed, were waiting in the grounds of the church at Ballyraine to deal with the disturbance.
The 11am mass, being said by Fr Dominic Thoomkuzhy, was interrupted for a time, before concluding quickly and mass-goers being asked to remain side the church as Gardai dealt with the row outside.
The five men arrested were charged at a special sitting of Letterkenny District Court the following day for a range of offences under the Public Order Act and also for possession of weapons.
Now, Parish Priest of the Church of the Irish Martyrs, Fr Ciaran Harkin has reassured mass-goers that the church has now taken precautions to prevent a repeat of the shocking scenes.
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 Gardaí, 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.”
Fr Harkin said he would like to thank the Gardai and all those officiating at the mass who came to the aid of parishioners.
He added “A word of thanks from all of us to the Gardaí for their efficient and effective response last Sunday.
“A word of thanks too, to the church community who communicated with the congregation last week – to Siobhan, to Fr Dominic and to Declan – and indeed to all who helped diffuse the anxiety and fear of some of you during the 11:30am mass.”
Five men, Michael McDonagh, of the Big Isle in Letterkenny; Michael Reilly Junior, of Kishogue Park, Lucan, Dublin; Michael Reilly Senior, Thomas Reilly, and John Paul Reilly of Tailteann Drive, Windtown, Navan, Co Meath all appeared before Judge Ciaran Liddy following the incident.
They were all released on bail to September 16 to await directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions.
