‘A holy show’: Obscenity shouted by irate man at Limerick Mass
A PACKED church congregation in County Limerick was left “shocked” and “in disbelief” after a man burst in and shouted an obscenity during Mass.
The unusual incident occurred at the weekly Saturday night Mass. The parish priest had just commenced his sermon and was speaking of “pleasantries” exchanged over the Christmas and new year period when the rear door of the church opened.
One person, who was at the Mass on January 6, said a man shouted that there was a lorry blocking his gate.
“The priest must have misheard the man as he politely asked for the person to move their car. The man at the back of the church shouted, ‘It’s a f*****g lorry’. The whole church was shocked. There was a loud murmur of disapproval. Everybody was just taken aback,” they said.
The Mass-goer said a man left his pew and went outside the church, presumably to move the vehicle. There are a number of properties within walking distance of the church. The Leader has taken the decision not to disclose the location.
“The church was full because it was two month’s minds and an anniversary Mass. There were a lot of children. It wasn’t nice for them to hear that word. There was no need for it. The priest was very calm and resumed his sermon but I’d say I’m not the only one who found it hard to concentrate on what he was saying.
“I don’t know the ins and outs of the situation but if the man’s entrance was blocked and he needed to get out urgently he could have passed a note to the sacristan or one of the altar children for the priest to read out. To barge in like that and swear is beyond the pale,” they said.
The Leader understands this isn’t the first incident of its kind in the same church with a wedding also disrupted in the past.
Minister of State Niall Collins said he had been made aware of the incident by a constituent.
“This was very upsetting, especially for parents of small children who had to hear that foul language at Mass of all places and for the families who were grieving loved ones.
“I would be calling on the council to do a survey to see if additional parking space can be secured. At big funerals and weddings, the amount of space for Mass-goers is limited. I’ve seen myself that vehicles have to park on the roadside and the road is narrow as it is. Extra parking might alleviate the situation but at the same time there is no excuse for that behaviour,” said Mr Collins.
A garda spokesperson said they hadn't received a complaint.