Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 5643Offensive audio broadcast (investigation) · Co. Waterford

Gardaí investigate offensive loudspeaker broadcasts at Kilgobnet church and funerals

In the weeks before 18 June 2024, someone played a looped recording of sexual vulgarities through a loudspeaker into the grounds of St Gobnait's Church and its graveyard in Kilgobnet, near Dungarvan, Co Waterford. The recording was reportedly played during Mass and funerals, upsetting mourners and parishioners, and a Garda presence was needed at one funeral to stop it. The volume is reportedly below the level considered noise pollution, which makes it unclear how the issue can be addressed. Gardaí have launched an investigation, and as of 18 June 2024 no arrests or suspects had been reported.

  1. Reported18 Jun
  2. Arrested
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Someone is using a loudspeaker to play a looped recording of sexual vulgarities into church grounds during religious services.
Where
The broadcasts are aimed at St Gobnait's Church and the adjacent graveyard in Kilgobnet, near Dungarvan, Co Waterford.
When
The broadcasts have happened in recent weeks before the report of 18 June 2024.
Other details
  • The recording is reportedly played to coincide with services, especially funerals, and can be heard by parishioners during Mass.
  • Mourners and churchgoers have been reported as upset and offended by the recording.
  • A Garda presence was required in the graveyard during a sensitive funeral to stop the recording being played.
  • The volume of the recording is reportedly below the level that would be considered noise pollution, so it is unclear how the issue can be addressed.
Investigation
  • Gardaí have launched an investigation into the broadcast of offensive audio material in Kilgobnet.
  • As of 18 June 2024, no arrests or suspects had been reported.
7 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatSomeone is using a loudspeaker to play sexual vulgarities on a loop into church grounds during religious services. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe broadcasts are aimed at the grounds of a church and graveyard in Kilgobnet, near Dungarvan, Co Waterford. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe broadcasts have happened in recent weeks. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationGardaí have launched an investigation into the broadcast of offensive audio material in Kilgobnet. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe recordings are reportedly played to coincide with church services, especially funerals. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe volume of the recording is reportedly below the level that would be considered noise pollution, making it unclear how the issue can be addressed. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherA Garda presence was required in the graveyard during a sensitive funeral to stop offensive recordings being played. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 18 Jun2024
    Reportedirishmirror.ie, first report
    Mourners upset as vulgarities played over loudspeaker during funerals

    Adds details of the ongoing investigation into looped sexual vulgarities broadcast during church services and funerals at Kilgobnet, including a Garda presence at a funeral and quoted reactions from mourners and a parishioner. No arrests or suspects are reported.