Five men charged at Letterkenny court following row at Church of the Irish Martyrs

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

The five, all members of the Travelling Community, appeared at a special sitting of Letterkenny District Court before Judge Ciaran Liddy.

There was a heavy Garda presence at the courthouse. As well as unformed members of An Garda Siochana, detectives as well as members of the Garda Armed Response Unit were also in the area.

The men were charged with various charges including public order and possession of offensive weapons.

The five men are from two different families involved in an alleged fracas at the Church of the Irish Martyrs during 11.30am mass on Sunday morning.

The mass was interrupted and parishioners asked to remain inside the church building after an argument broke out in the porch of the church building. The argument spilled outside into the car park of the church where there was a strong Garda presence.

The first man to come before today's court was Michael McDonagh, of the Big Isle in Letterkenny.

The 34-year-old, represented by solicitor Alison Parke, is charged with threatening and abusive behaviour with intent to provoke a breach of the peace. Gardai said they had no objection to bail.

Garda Sergeant Jim Collins asked for a number of conditions including 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.

His case was adjourned until September 16 with Sergeant Collins said there may be other charges.

The four other people charged, all members of the same family including a father and three sons, were then brought into the body of the court.

Bail was also agreed for all four who were represented by solicitor Patsy Gallagher.

Michael Reilly Junior, of Kishogue Park, Lucan, Dublin, aged 31, 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, of Tailteann Drive, Windtown, Navan, Co Meath, aged 56, 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 the intention to cause injury or intimidate.

Thomas Reilly, of Tailteann Drive, Windtown, Navan, Co Meath, aged 21, was also 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, of Tailteann Drive, Windtown, Navan, Co Meath, was also 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 members of the Reilly accused family 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 extended McDonagh family.

All five were released on bail to September 16 to await directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions.