A man has been given a suspended sentence for his part in a disturbance during Mass at a Letterkenny Church.
Michael McDonagh appeared before Judge Éiteáin Cunningham at Letterkenny District Court, where he was handed a four-month suspended sentence.
The 35-year-old was charged in connection with a row that broke out at the Church of the Irish Martyrs during 11.30am Mass on August 18, 2024.
McDonagh was charged with using or engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to provoke a breach-of the peace of being reckless as to whether a breach of the peace might have been occasions. The charge is contrary to section 6 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1996 as amended by section 22 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act, 2008.
A previous court sitting heard that McDonagh was overheard saying: “you will get it – bang, bang.”
Mass-goers were advised to stay inside after the altercation broke out in the car park.
In May, Judge Cunningham ordered the appearance of McDonagh, who did not turn up to court on that occasion.
Mr Frank Dorrian, solicitor for McDonagh, told the court that his client is now living in Birmingham.
He said McDonagh, who has an address at The Big Isle, Letterkenny, has endured some mental health issues and has had “some very dark days in the UK”. He said McDonagh has received treatment.
He said he “regrets completely” the incident and accepts that a Church was the least appropriate place for such a thing to occur.
Mr Dorrian said McDonagh was being prosecuted exclusively in Court whereas other persons will go before the Circuit Court in respect of the incident.
“The source of the problem came from others and his participation was to respond inappropriately,” Mr Dorrian said.
Previously, Mr Dorrian said his client was a relatively young man from a well-established Traveller family in Letterkenny but that he had issues and said his client took part in matters from a vocal level.
Judge Cunningham said that this type of behaviour was “wholly unacceptable in any setting, but particularly in a Church setting, which must have been extremely frightening for other Church goers”.
Judge Cunningham said she was aware of McDonagh’s previous convictions and that he would get credit for how he dealt with the matter.
McDonagh was sentenced to four months in prison, the entirety of which was suspended for a period of 12 months on the accused entering into a bond to keep the peace and be of good behaviour for 12 months.
Six other men are to be sent forward to Letterkenny Circuit Court in relation to the same incident with books of evidence to be served later this year.
They are: Gary Reilly, Brian Reilly, John Paul Reilly, Thomas Reilly and Michael Reilly Senior – all of Tailteann Drive, Windtown, Navan, County Meath – and Michael Reilly Junior, of Kishogue Park, Lucan, County Dublin.
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