Ireland Case No. 4246Criminal damage, public order · Co. Clare · 12 Nov 2025
Man jailed for six months after defecating on cathedral floor in Ennis
Richard McDermott, 42, of no fixed abode, was sentenced to six months in prison at Ennis District Court for criminal damage to St Peter and Paul Cathedral (defecating on the floor) and a prison cell at Ennis Garda station (urinating on it), plus public order offences, all committed on 12 November 2025.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court27 Nov
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced22 Dec
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports22 statements extracted from the articles
- whatHe lashed out during arrest, resisted being put in the van, and was manhandled into the cell at the station. (irishtimes.com)
- whatWhile in the cell he urinated all over the floor. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe incident happened at St Peter and Paul Cathedral in Ennis. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe church incident occurred on November 12. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenGardaí received a call at 5:30pm on 12 November about intoxicated males hassling Mass-goers at the cathedral. (irishtimes.com)
- causeHis solicitor said he was extremely drunk on the day. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeHe also pleaded guilty to a separate criminal damage charge relating to a cell at Ennis Garda Station. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtMr McDermott appeared at Ennis District Court and pleaded guilty to criminal damage of the church. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe case was heard at Ennis District Court before Judge Alec Gabbett. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe judge remanded him in custody for two weeks for a probation report for sentencing. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceHe received a three-month term for defecating on the cathedral floor. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceHe received a consecutive one-month term for urinating on a prison cell at Ennis Garda station. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceHe received a consecutive two-month term for public order offences. (irishtimes.com)
- otherUrinating in the cell made it inoperable and professional cleaners were needed. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherHe had to be manhandled by Gardaí into the cell after his arrest at the church. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherAt the church he verbally abused mass-goers and a priest. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherMcDermott has 97 previous convictions, 57 of which were committed while on bail. (irishtimes.com)
- other59 of his previous convictions are public order offences. (irishtimes.com)
- otherMcDermott has a significant alcohol addiction issue resulting in abusive and violent behaviour in Ennis. (irishtimes.com)
- otherMcDermott was homeless at the time and homeless services had not kept a bed for him. (irishtimes.com)
- otherHe suffers from irritable bowel syndrome and other medical conditions. (irishtimes.com)
- otherHe has been a client of the Brothers of Charity and has an intellectual disability and special needs. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 22 Dec2025Man jailed for six months after ‘destroying floor’ of cathedral by defecating on it
Full sentencing details including breakdown of terms (3 months + 1 month + 2 months), 97 previous convictions, alcohol addiction, homelessness, intellectual disability, and defence submissions.
convicted, Richard McDermott, 42, male, named, irish (judged from name)Richard McDermott - 27 Nov2025Man appears in court over defecating on floor of Catholic Church building
Reports the guilty plea and the remand in custody for a probation report, before the sentence reported in case 4246. Adds details of the plea, the Garda station cell incident, and the verbal abuse of mass-goers and a priest.
accused, Richard McDermott, 42, named, irish (judged from name)Richard McDermott