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. 1163Violent disorder, possession of an offensive weapon · Co. Donegal · 18 Aug 2024

Man charged with possession of slash hook after disturbance at Letterkenny church

A disturbance broke out in the porch of the Church of the Irish Martyrs in Letterkenny on 18 August 2024 during Sunday mass, forcing worshippers to remain inside as the argument spilled into the car park. Brian O'Reilly, 29, of Navan, Co Meath, was charged with violent disorder and possession of a slash hook alongside Michael Reilly Snr, Michael Reilly Jnr, Thomas Reilly, Gary Reilly and John Paul Reilly, all men and members of two rival families. He appeared by video-link at Letterkenny District Court in August 2025, where his solicitor asked for the matters to be linked for a 17 September hearing for service of a book of evidence.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court8 Aug
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • A disturbance broke out in the porch of the church during Sunday mass, forcing mass-goers to remain inside, and the argument spilled into the car park.
  • A number of men were arrested and charged with offences including violent disorder and possession of offensive weapons.
Where
The incident occurred at the Church of the Irish Martyrs in Letterkenny, Co Donegal.
When
The incident occurred on 18 August 2024.
Cause
The production of the offensive weapon in the church car park was in relation to an ongoing dispute with members of another family.
Charges
Brian O'Reilly, 29, of Tailteann Drive, Navan, Co Meath, is charged with violent disorder under Section 15 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994 and with having a slash hook in a public place under Section 9(5) of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990, alongside Michael Reilly Snr, Michael Reilly Jnr, Thomas Reilly, Gary Reilly and John Paul Reilly.
Other details
  • Those charged were all members of two rival families.
  • The accused is currently serving a sentence.
  • Parish priest Fr Ciaran Harkin said more precautions would be taken to prevent a repeat of the incident.
Investigation
A strong Garda presence was in place including uniformed members, detectives and the Garda Armed Response Unit.
In court
  • Brian O'Reilly appeared by video-link at Letterkenny District Court before Judge Brendan O'Reilly.
  • His solicitor asked for all matters to be linked for him to appear on 17 September for service of a book of evidence.
16 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatMass-goers were forced to remain inside Sunday mass following the disturbance in the porch of the church building. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatA number of men were arrested and charged with various offences including public order and possession of offensive weapons. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatBrian O'Reilly is aged 29 with an address at Tailteann Drive in Navan, Co Meath. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe production of the offensive weapon was in a church car park in relation to an ongoing dispute with members of another family. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe argument spilled outside into the car park of the church. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe incident occurred at the Church of the Irish Martyrs in Letterkenny on 18 August 2024. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThere was a strong Garda presence including uniformed members, detectives, and the Garda Armed Response Unit. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeHe is charged with violent disorder with Michael Reilly Snr, Michael Reilly Jnr, Thomas Reilly, Gary Reilly and John Paul Reilly. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeThe violent disorder charge is contrary to Section 15 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeHe is charged with having a slash hook in a public place intended to cause injury, incapacitate or intimidate a person. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeThe slash hook charge is contrary to Section 9(5) of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act, 1990. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe accused appeared by video-link at Letterkenny District Court before Judge Brendan O'Reilly. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe solicitor asked for all matters to be linked for the client to appear on 17 September for service of a book of evidence. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThose charged were all members of two rival families. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe accused is currently serving a sentence. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherParish priest Fr Ciaran Harkin said more precautions would be taken to prevent a repeat of the incident. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 8 Aug2025
    In courtirishmirror.ie, first report
    Man charged with having a slash hook during row at church mass

    Details of the specific charges (violent disorder under Section 15 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994, and possession of a slash hook under Section 9(5) of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990), the fact the accused is currently serving a sentence, and the solicitor's request to link matters for a 17 September hearing for service of a book of evidence.

    suspect, Brian O'Reilly, 29, male, named, irish (judged from name)Brian O'Reillysuspect, Michael Reilly Snr, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Reilly Snrsuspect, Michael Reilly Jnr, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Reilly Jnrsuspect, Thomas Reilly, male, named, irish (judged from name)Thomas Reillysuspect, Gary Reilly, male, named, irish (judged from name)Gary Reillysuspect, John Paul Reilly, male, named, irish (judged from name)John Paul Reilly