Ireland Crime

Named as

Accused, suspect

Born

Between September 1967 and April 1968, from the ages reported

Offences

Violent disorder, Threatening and abusive behaviour, Possession of offensive weapons, Public order offence; possession of offensive weapons

Where

Co. Donegal

Reporting

11 reports, 19 Aug 2024 to 18 Sep 2025

Outlets

thejournal.ie, irishtimes.com, donegallive.ie, irishmirror.ie, rte.ie

• Six men sent for trial over violent disorder at Letterkenny church Violent disorder · Co. Donegal

  On 18 August 2024, a disturbance broke out in the porch of the Church of the Irish Martyrs in Letterkenny, Co Donegal, during a funeral Mass, spilling into the car park where slash hooks, an axe, a saw and knives were produced, forcing mass-goers to remain inside. Six men from the Reilly family, aged 20 to 57, were charged with violent disorder and related public order offences in connection with an ongoing dispute with members of another family. They appeared at Falcarragh District Court on 16 April 2025, where five were granted bail and Brian Reilly was held in custody on other matters. On 17 September 2025, all six were sent for trial at Letterkenny Circuit Court commencing 28 October 2025.

  In court, 16 May 2025Accused, suspect · 7 reports
• Five men charged with public order and weapons offences at Letterkenny church Public order offence; possession of offensive weapons · Co. Donegal

  Five men from two families were arrested after a disturbance broke out during an 11:30am anniversary mass at the Church of the Irish Martyrs in Ballyraine, Letterkenny, Co Donegal, on 18 August 2024. The argument began in the church porch, spilled inside, and then moved to the car park, where a large Garda presence including the armed response unit separated the parties. The five men, including Michael McDonagh, 34, Michael Reilly Junior, 31, Michael Reilly Senior, 56, Thomas Reilly, 21, and John Paul Reilly, 19, were charged with public order offences and possession of offensive weapons. They appeared at a special sitting of Letterkenny District Court on 19 August 2024 before Judge Ciaran Liddy and were released on bail to 16 September to await directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions.

  In court, 19 Aug 2024Accused · 4 reports

Each entry shows how that report described them.

1. 18 Sep2025
   In courtthejournal.ie, in Six men sent for trial over violent disorder at Letterkenny church

   Six members of same family in court after brawl outside Donegal church during mass

   suspect, Michael Reilly Sr, 57, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Reilly Sr♂57IE
2. 18 Sep2025
   In courtirishtimes.com, in Six men sent for trial over violent disorder at Letterkenny church

   Six family members to stand trial after church brawl in Donegal

   accused, Michael Reilly Sr, 57, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Reilly Sr♂57IE
3. 17 Sep2025
   In courtdonegallive.ie, in Six men sent for trial over violent disorder at Letterkenny church

   Six members of the same family are to stand trial for Letterkenny church brawl

   accused, Michael Reilly Sr, 57, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Reilly Sr♂57IE
4. 8 Aug2025
   In courtirishmirror.ie, in Six men sent for trial over violent disorder at Letterkenny church

   Man charged with having a slash hook during row at church mass

   suspect, Michael Reilly Snr, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Reilly Snr♂IE
5. 16 Apr2025
   Chargedirishtimes.com, in Six men sent for trial over violent disorder at Letterkenny church

   Six relatives charged with violent disorder outside Donegal Mass

   accused, Michael Reilly snr, 57, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Reilly snr♂57IE
6. 16 Apr2025
   Chargedirishmirror.ie, in Six men sent for trial over violent disorder at Letterkenny church

   Six men in court charged with violent disorder outside Sunday mass

   accused, Michael Reilly Senior, 57, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Reilly Senior♂57IE
7. 16 Apr2025
   Chargeddonegallive.ie, in Six men sent for trial over violent disorder at Letterkenny church

   Men charged with violent disorder at Sunday Mass in Letterkenny

   accused, Michael Reilly Senior, 57, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Reilly Senior♂57IE
8. 26 Aug2024
   In courtdonegallive.ie, in Five men charged with public order and weapons offences at Letterkenny church

   Letterkenny priest 'shocked and angered' at church scenes that saw five arrested

   accused, Michael Reilly Senior, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Reilly Senior♂IE
9. 19 Aug2024
   Chargeddonegallive.ie, in Five men charged with public order and weapons offences at Letterkenny church

   Five men charged at Letterkenny court following row at Church of the Irish Martyrs

   accused, Michael Reilly Senior, 56, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Reilly Senior♂56IE
10. 19 Aug2024
    In courtrte.ie, in Five men charged with public order and weapons offences at Letterkenny church

    Five appear in court over Donegal church disturbance

    accused, Michael Reilly Senior, 56, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Reilly Senior56IE
11. 19 Aug2024
    In courtirishtimes.com, in Five men charged with public order and weapons offences at Letterkenny church

    Five men in court over violent disturbance outside Co Donegal church

    accused, Michael Reilly Senior, 56, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Reilly Senior♂56IE

Matched on the name as printed, ignoring quoted nicknames, and split by the ages reported. Two people who share a name and age would appear together here.