Men charged with violent disorder at Sunday Mass in Letterkenny
The six appeared before Falcarragh District Court on Wednesday morning in connection with the row, which broke out at the Church of the Irish Martyrs during 11.30am Mass on August 18, 2024
Six men have been charged with violent disorder during a disturbance at a Letterkenny Church.
The six appeared before Falcarragh District Court on Wednesday morning in connection with the row, which broke out at the Church of the Irish Martyrs during 11.30am Mass on August 18, 2024.
Mass was interrupted and terrified parishioners were asked to remain inside the Church with a slash hook, an axe, kitchen knives and garden saws produced during the incident, which spilled outside into the car park of the church where there was a strong Garda presence.
A large garda presence, including the Armed Response Unit and Public Order Unit, was in the vicinity of the courthouse during the appearance.
Gary Reilly, Brian Reilly, John Paul Reilly, Thomas Reilly and Michael Reilly Senior - all of Tailteann Drive, Windtown, Navan, County Meath - were before the court as well as Michael Reilly Junior, of Kishogue Park, Lucan, County Dublin.
Detective Garda Gerard McCready gave evidence of the arrest, charge and caution of 20-year-old Gary Reilly, 30-year-old John Paul Reilly and 31-year-old Michael Reilly Junior.
Detective Garda Stephen McGonigle gave evidence of the arrest, charge and caution of 57-year-old Michael Reilly Senior, 22-year-old Tomas Reilly and Brian Reilly, a 28-year-old.
Each of the men were charged with committing violent disorder in that they, with other persons, used or threatened to use unlawful violence and such conduct, taken together, was such as would cause a person of reasonable firmness present at said place to fear for his or another person’s safety.
The charge is contrary to section 15 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994.
Brian Reilly, who is currently in custody in the Midlands Prison and was brought to Letterkenny Courthouse by prison officers, was also charged with producing a slash hook, intended to cause injury to, incapacitate or intimidate a person, to wit, production of an offensive weapon in a church carpark in relation to an ongoing dispute with members of another family whom were present at the time of the production.
The charge is contrary to section 9 (5) of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act, 1990.
The court heard that each of the accused made no reply when cautioned.
Mr Patsy Gallagher, solicitor, represented all accused and each was granted legal aid.
There was no objection to bail for Gary Reilly, John Paul Reilly, Thomas Reilly, Michael Reilly Senior or Michael Reilly Junior and no application was made for bail on behalf of Brian Reilly, who is in custody. Brian Reilly’s case was adjourned to a special sitting of Sligo District Court on Tuesday evening next, April 22, by video link.
Sergeant Jim Collins asked that the other matters be adjourned until September 17, 2025 for the service of books of evidence.
The defendants will be excused in the event that a book of evidence is not ready to be served on that date with all matters set to be sent forward to the Circuit Court.
Previously, four of the same men were brought to court in relation the incident: Michael Reillly Junior was charged with threatening and abusive behaviour with intent to provoke a breach of the peace and also had an article in his possession, namely a small axe and two sharp kitchen knives; Michael Reilly Senior was charged with threatening and abusive behaviour with intent to provoke a breach of the peace as well as possession of an article namely a slash-hook with the intention to cause injury or intimidate; Thomas Reilly was charged with threatening and abusive behaviour with intent to provoke a breach of the peace and that he had in his possession a foldable garden saw with intention to cause injury or intimidate; John Paul Reilly was charged with threatening and abusive behaviour with intent to provoke a breach of the peace and that he had in his possession a foldable garden saw with intention to cause injury or intimidate.
All were granted bail on condition that they sign on three times a week at their local Garda station and that they be of good behaviour.
They have been ordered to stay out of County Donegal apart from court appearances and not to have any contact with the extended McDonagh family.
Another man, Michael McDonagh, a 35-year-old of the Big Isle in Letterkenny, has also been charged in connection with the matter.
He was previously before the court charged with threatening and abusive behaviour with intent to provoke a breach of the peace. He was granted bail on condition that he sign on at Letterkenny Garda Station three times a week, have no contact with the other parties in the case and be of good behaviour.