Five in court over disturbance during Donegal mass

The men appeared on Monday at the Letterkenny Courthouse

Five men have been released on bail after they appeared in court charged in connection with a disturbance at a County Donegal church on Sunday.

The men appeared at a special sitting of Letterkenny District Court before Judge Ciaran Liddy.

There was a heavy Garda presence at the courthouse in the town's High Road.

The men were charged with various offences including threatening and abusive behaviour and possession of offensive weapons.

The five men - from two families - were involved in an alleged fracas at the Church of the Irish Martyrs during mass on Sunday morning.

Parishioners were asked to remain inside the church building after an argument broke out in the porch.

The argument spilled outside into the car park where there was a strong Garda presence, the court heard.

Michael McDonagh, 34, of the Big Isle in Letterkenny, was represented by solicitor Alison Parke and charged with threatening and abusive behaviour with intent to provoke a breach of the peace.

Gardai said they had no objection to bail.

Sergeant Jim Collins asked for conditions including that Mr McDonagh 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.

His case was adjourned until 16 September.

Bail was also set for the other four - a father and three of his sons - who were represented by solicitor Patsy Gallagher.

Michael Reilly Junior, 31, of Kishogue Park in Lucan, Dublin, was charged with threatening and abusive behaviour with intent to provoke a breach of the peace and having an article in his possession, namely a small axe and two sharp kitchen knives.

Michael Reilly Senior, 56, of Tailteann Drive, Windtown, Navan, Co Meath, was also 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 intention to cause injury or intimidate.

Thomas Reilly, 21, also of Tailteann Drive, Windtown, 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, 29, of Tailteann Drive, 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.

The four men 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 were also ordered to stay out of County Donegal apart from court appearances and not to have any contact with the McDonagh family.

They were released on bail to 16 September.