The group were arrested following a public order incident between groups of people at the Church of the Irish Martyrs in Letterkenny.
Mass (stock image)
Five men were arrested following a disturbance at a Co Donegal church this morning.
The group were arrested following a public order incident between groups of people at the Church of the Irish Martyrs in Letterkenny.
The incident happened as 11.30am mass was about to begin.
A number of people began to argue in the porch of the church and the disagreement moved inside the church.
The group then left the church where several units of the local gardaí were present in the car park.
Gardaí moved in to restore order and held different groups of those involved in the row.
The incident coincided with the first anniversary mass following the death of a well-known local member of the Travelling Community.
Those attending the Sunday mass inside the church, which was being said by Fr Dominic Thoomkuzh, were asked to remain inside the church.
The mass was interrupted and delayed for a short time before it was brought to a conclusion.
Five men were later arrested and brought to local garda stations.
The men are due to appear at a special sitting of Letterkenny District Court before Judge Ciaran Liddy tomorrow.
A garda spokesperson said: “Gardaí in Letterkenny are investigating a number of incidents of public order that occurred at Ballyraine, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal this morning Sunday, August 18, 2024, at approximately 11.30am.
“Five men, aged in their 60s and 30s, were arrested in relation to the public order offences and a number of weapons were seized at the scene.
“All five men have been charged in relation to the incidents and investigations ongoing.”
