A man has been charged and appeared in court for allegedly possessing a slash hook during a disruption outside a church in Co. Donegal.
Brian Reilly appeared before Judge Brendan O’Reilly at Letterkenny District Court via video link.
The court was informed that the accused is charged, along with several others, in connection with an incident that occurred at the Church of the Irish Martyrs in Letterkenny on August 18, 2024.
Due to the disturbance in the church porch, mass attendees were required to remain inside following Sunday mass.
The altercation moved outside to the church parking area, where a significant Garda presence was observed, including uniformed officers, detectives, and members of the Garda Armed Response Unit.
Subsequently, a number of men were arrested and charged with various offenses, including public order violations and possession of offensive weapons.
The individuals charged were reportedly members of two feuding families.
Among those charged was Brian Reilly, 29, with an address at Tailteann Drive, Navan, Co. Meath.
Reilly is accused that on August 18, 2024, at the Church Of The Irish Martyrs, Gortlee Rd, Ballyraine, Letterkenny, he engaged in violent disorder with other individuals, specifically Michael Reilly Snr, Michael Reilly Jnr, Thomas Reilly, Gary Reilly and John Paul Reilly present together, used or threatened to use unlawful violence, and this conduct was such that it would cause a person of reasonable firmness present at the location to fear for their safety or the safety of others.
This charge is in violation of Section 15 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994.
He is also charged with possessing an article, specifically a slash hook, in a public place on the same date and at the same location, with the intent to unlawfully cause injury to, incapacitate, or intimidate a person, either in a particular eventuality or otherwise, by producing an offensive weapon in a church car park in relation to an ongoing dispute with members of another family present at the time of production.
This charge is in violation of Section 9(5) of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act, 1990.
The other named individuals have been charged with various offenses during previous sessions of the Letterkenny District Court.
Mr. Patsy Gallagher, the solicitor representing the accused, informed the court that his client is currently serving a sentence.
He requested that all related matters be linked and that his client be present in court on September 17th for the service of a book of evidence in the case.
Following the incident, the parish priest, Fr. Ciaran Harkin, assured mass attendees that the church had implemented measures to prevent a recurrence of the disturbing events.
He stated, “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.”
Man charged with having a slash hook during disturbance at Letterkenny church was last modified: August 8th, 2025 by
