Donegal man accused of saying 'you will get it - bang bang' during church brawl
A man has been ordered to appear in court to face charges arising out of a brawl between two groups during Sunday mass in the car park of a Co Donegal Catholic church.
Michael McDonagh is charged with threatening and abusive behaviour with intent to provoke a breach of the peace. Letterkenny District Court heard the charge followed a major disturbance outside the Church of the Irish Martyrs in Letterkenny on August 18th, 2024.
The court was told by Garda Sergeant Maurice Doyle that McDonagh was acting in an aggressive manner "towards another family." It was claimed the 35-year-old was overheard saying "you will get it - bang, bang."
A previous court sitting had heard how mass-goers were advised to stay inside after an altercation broke out in the car park of the church during the mass.
McDonagh, of the Big Isle in Letterkenny, was not in court but had pleaded to a number of charges. The charges also included drug driving offences at Drumnahoagh, Letterkenny on December 19th, 2021 and on the N14 road at Lifford on March 21st, 2024.
The court was told there were pleas to the charges. Judge Eiteain Cunningham asked the court what was happening in the church at the time of the disturbance and was told it was a funeral mass.
Solicitor for the accused, Mr Frank Dorrian said his client was a relatively young man from a well-established Traveller family in Letterkenny but that he had issues.
He said one of the reasons he was not in court was because he was in an emotional state. Mr Dorrian explained that this was a very unseemly event but that his client only took part in matters from a vocal level. He added that others involved in the incident had been sent forward for trial at Letterkenny Circuit Court.
The solicitor asked Judge Cunningham that she treat this on the minimum level (of involvement) adding his client was "in great emotional difficulty."
However, Judge Cunningham said she did not regard it as 'minimal interaction' and added that she thought McDonagh should come before the court.
"I don't think any order could be done in his absence," added the Judge. The case was adjourned until July 3rd next.
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