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. 1843Violent disorder (section 15, Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994), threatening and abusive behaviour, possession of weapons · Co. Donegal · 18 Aug 2024

Six Reilly family members charged with violent disorder outside Letterkenny church

Six men, all members of the same family, were charged with violent disorder in connection with an alleged brawl at the Church of the Irish Martyrs in Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, on 18 August 2024, during which slash hooks, an axe, a saw and knives were produced and members of the congregation had to be kept inside. The accused are Michael Reilly Junior, 31; Michael Reilly Senior, 57; Thomas Reilly, 22; John Paul Reilly, 30; Brian Reilly, 28; and Gary Reilly, 20. On 16 April 2025, all six appeared at Letterkenny District Court, where they were charged with violent disorder under section 15 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994, along with additional charges of threatening and abusive behaviour and possession of weapons; all made no reply. Five of the men had their cases adjourned to 17 September for service of a book of evidence, while Brian Reilly, who is in custody at Midlands Prison, was adjourned to a special sitting of Sligo District Court by videolink on 22 April. All matters are to be tried by indictment at Letterkenny Circuit Court.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Charged16 Apr
    2 reports
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Six men, all members of the same family, were charged with violent disorder in connection with an alleged brawl at a church during which slash hooks, an axe, a saw and knives were produced.
  • Members of the congregation had to be kept inside the church after the incident.
Where
The incident took place at the Church of the Irish Martyrs in Letterkenny, Co. Donegal.
When
The incident occurred on 18 August 2024.
Charges
  • The six accused are Michael Reilly Junior, 31; Michael Reilly Senior, 57; Thomas Reilly, 22; John Paul Reilly, 30; Brian Reilly, 28; and Gary Reilly, 20, all men.
  • Michael Reilly Junior was charged with threatening and abusive behaviour and possession of a small axe and two sharp kitchen knives; Michael Reilly Senior with threatening and abusive behaviour and possession of a slash-hook; Thomas Reilly and John Paul Reilly each with threatening and abusive behaviour and possession of a foldable garden saw; Brian Reilly with producing a slash hook under Section 9(5) of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act, 1990; and Gary Reilly with violent disorder.
  • The main charge is contrary to section 15 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994.
In court
  • On 16 April 2025, all six appeared at Letterkenny District Court amid a strong Garda presence including the Public Order Unit and Armed Response Unit, and all six made no reply after being charged.
  • Five of the accused had their cases adjourned to 17 September for service of a book of evidence, while Brian Reilly's case was adjourned to a special sitting of Sligo District Court by videolink on 22 April.
  • All matters are to be tried by indictment at Letterkenny Circuit Court.
Other details
  • Brian Reilly is in custody at Midlands Prison.
  • A number of the men were previously charged at Letterkenny District Court with public order incidents relating to the brawl, and Michael McDonagh, 34, of the Big Isle in Letterkenny, was charged at a previous sitting with threatening and abusive behaviour with intent to provoke a breach of the peace.
31 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatSix men were charged with violent disorder in connection with an alleged brawl at a church. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatSlash hooks, an axe, a saw and knives were produced during the incident. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatMembers of the congregation had to be kept inside the church after the incident. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
  • whatAll six men are members of the same family. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
  • whatAll six accused men made no reply after being charged. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatSix men appeared in court charged with violent disorder outside a Mass at a Co Donegal church (irishtimes.com)
  • whatSlash hooks, an axe, a saw and knives were allegedly produced during the incident (irishtimes.com)
  • whatA number of the men were previously charged at Letterkenny District Court with public order incidents relating to the brawl (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThere was a strong Garda presence at Letterkenny District Court on Wednesday (irishtimes.com)
  • whatMembers of the Garda public order unit and the armed response unit were in the vicinity of the courthouse (irishtimes.com)
  • whatAll six men made no reply after being charged (irishtimes.com)
  • whatBrian Reilly is in custody in the Midlands Prison (irishtimes.com)
  • whatMichael McDonagh, 34, of the Big Isle in Letterkenny, was charged at a previous sitting with threatening and abusive behaviour with intent to provoke a breach of the peace (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe incident took place at the Church of the Irish Martyrs in Letterkenny. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe alleged brawl took place at the Church of the Irish Martyrs in Letterkenny (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe incident occurred on 18 August 2024. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
  • chargeThe charge is contrary to section 15 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
  • chargeMichael Reilly Junior, 31, was charged with threatening and abusive behaviour and possession of a small axe and two sharp kitchen knives. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeMichael Reilly Senior, 57, was charged with threatening and abusive behaviour and possession of a slash-hook. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeThomas Reilly, 22, was charged with threatening and abusive behaviour and possession of a foldable garden saw. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeJohn Paul Reilly, 30, was charged with threatening and abusive behaviour and possession of a foldable garden saw. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeBrian Reilly was charged with producing a slash hook under Section 9(5) of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act, 1990. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeGary Reilly, 20, was charged with violent disorder on the same date. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtA strong Garda presence was at Letterkenny District Court, including the Garda Public Order Unit and Armed Response Unit. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtDetective Garda Gerard McCready and Detective Garda Stephen McGonigle gave evidence of charging all six men. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtAll six were represented by solicitor Mr Patsy Gallagher. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtFive of the accused men had their cases adjourned until September 17 for the service of a book of evidence. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtBrian Reilly's case was adjourned to a special sitting of Sligo District Court by videolink on April 22. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtFive of the accused had their cases adjourned until 17 September for service of a book of evidence (irishtimes.com)
  • courtAll matters will be tried by indictment at Letterkenny Circuit Court (irishtimes.com)
  • otherBrian Reilly, 28, is currently in custody at Midlands Prison. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 16 Apr2025
    Chargedirishtimes.com, first report
    Six relatives charged with violent disorder outside Donegal Mass

    Reports the charging of six Reilly family members with violent disorder and additional public order offences at Letterkenny District Court, with five cases adjourned to 17 September for service of a book of evidence and all matters to be tried by indictment at Letterkenny Circuit Court.

    accused, Michael Reilly jnr, 31, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Reilly jnraccused, Michael Reilly snr, 57, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Reilly snraccused, Thomas Reilly, 22, male, named, irish (judged from name)Thomas Reillyaccused, John Paul Reilly, 30, male, named, irish (judged from name)John Paul Reillyaccused, Brian Reilly, 28, male, named, irish (judged from name)Brian Reillyaccused, Gary Reilly, 20, male, named, irish (judged from name)Gary Reillyaccused, Michael McDonagh, 34, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael McDonagh
  2. 16 Apr2025
    Chargedirishmirror.ie, follow-up
    Six men in court charged with violent disorder outside Sunday mass

    Reports the charging of six Reilly family men with violent disorder and related public order offences at Letterkenny District Court on 16 April 2025, in connection with a brawl at the Church of the Irish Martyrs on 18 August 2024. Details weapons used, prior charges, custody status, and adjournment dates.

    accused, Michael Reilly Junior, 31, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Reilly Junioraccused, Michael Reilly Senior, 57, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Reilly Senioraccused, Thomas Reilly, 22, male, named, irish (judged from name)Thomas Reillyaccused, John Paul Reilly, 30, male, named, irish (judged from name)John Paul Reillyaccused, Brian Reilly, 28, male, named, irish (judged from name)Brian Reillyaccused, Gary Reilly, 20, male, named, irish (judged from name)Gary Reillyaccused, Michael McDonagh, 34, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael McDonagh