Case No. 0993Violent disorder, threatening and abusive behaviour, possession of offensive weapons · Co. Donegal · 18 Aug 2024
Six Reilly family members sent for trial over church brawl in Letterkenny, Co Donegal
Six members of the Reilly family, aged 20 to 57, were charged with violent disorder and other offences following a brawl outside the Church of the Irish Martyrs in Letterkenny, Co Donegal, on 18 August 2024 during 11am Mass. Slash hooks, an axe, a saw, and knives were produced during the disturbance, and members of the congregation had to be kept inside the church. The six appeared before Judge Brendan O'Reilly at Falcarragh District Court in September 2025 and were adjourned to the next sitting of Letterkenny Circuit Court commencing 28 October. All six apart from Brian Reilly were released on bail.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court18 Sep
- Verdict
- Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Six members of the Reilly family were charged following a brawl outside a church in Letterkenny, Co Donegal, while Sunday Mass was being said.
- Where
- The incident took place at the Church of the Irish Martyrs in Letterkenny, Co Donegal.
- When
- The incident occurred on 18 August 2024 during 11am Mass.
- Weapon
- Slash hooks, an axe, a saw, and knives were produced during the incident.
- Investigation
- A large squad of detectives, some armed, attended the church grounds at Ballyraine to deal with the disturbance.
- Charges
- All six men were charged with violent disorder under section 15 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994.
- Michael Reilly Jr (31) was additionally charged with threatening and abusive behaviour and possession of a small axe and two sharp kitchen knives.
- Michael Reilly Sr (57) was additionally charged with threatening and abusive behaviour and possession of a slash-hook with intention to cause injury or intimidate.
- Thomas Reilly (22) and John Paul Reilly (30) were additionally charged with threatening and abusive behaviour and possession of a foldable garden saw with intention to cause injury or intimidate.
- Brian Reilly (28) was additionally charged with producing a slash hook under section 9(5) of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act, 1990, in relation to an ongoing dispute with members of another family.
- In court
- The six appeared before Judge Brendan O'Reilly at Falcarragh District Court in September 2025 and were adjourned to the next sitting of Letterkenny Circuit Court commencing 28 October.
- Other details
- All six apart from Brian Reilly were released on bail, and the incident was condemned by parish priest Fr Ciaran Harkin.
17 statements extracted from the articles
- whatSix members of the same family are to stand trial following a brawl outside a Co Donegal church while Sunday Mass was being said. (irishtimes.com)
- whatMembers of the congregation had to be kept inside the church after the incident. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe incident took place at the Church of the Irish Martyrs in Letterkenny. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe incident occurred on 18 August 2024 during 11am Mass. (irishtimes.com)
- weaponSlash hooks, an axe, a saw and knives were produced during the incident. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationA large squad of detectives, some armed, attended the grounds of the church at Ballyraine to deal with the disturbance. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeAll six were charged with committing violent disorder under section 15 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeMichael Reilly Jr was charged with threatening and abusive behaviour with intent to provoke a breach of the peace, and having a small axe and two sharp kitchen knives. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeMichael Reilly Sr was charged with threatening and abusive behaviour with intent to provoke a breach of the peace and possession of a slash-hook with intention to cause injury or intimidate. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeThomas Reilly and John Paul Reilly were charged with threatening and abusive behaviour and having a foldable garden saw with intention to cause injury or intimidate. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeBrian Reilly was charged with producing a slash hook under section 9(5) of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act, 1990, in relation to an ongoing dispute with members of another family. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeGary Reilly was charged with violent disorder on the same date. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe six will go forward for trial at the next sitting of Letterkenny Circuit Court commencing on 28 October. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe judge issued the alibi warning to all accused men and adjourned the cases until 28 October. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe incident was strongly condemned by parish priest Fr Ciaran Harkin. (irishtimes.com)
- otherAll apart from Brian Reilly were released on bail. (irishtimes.com)
- otherLegal aid was granted to solicitor Patsy Gallagher and one junior counsel was assigned to the six accused. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 18 Sep2025Six family members to stand trial after church brawl in Donegal
First report of the court appearance and charges for the six Reilly family members in connection with the August 2024 church brawl in Letterkenny.
accused, Michael Reilly Jr, 31, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Reilly Jraccused, Michael Reilly Sr, 57, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Reilly Sraccused, 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 Reilly