WATCH: Mayhem as garda riot squad called to brawl at cemetery mass in Portlaoise
Hectic scenes at Portlaoise graveyard for summer blessing of the graves
There were shocking scenes in Laois on Sunday afternoon, as a massive brawl broke out at an annual cemetery mass.
St Peter and Paul’s cemetery in Portlaoise celebrated their annual blessing of the graves on Sunday May 31, when a fight broke out between individuals in attendance.
Gardaí in Portlaoise confirmed that the incident happened during the annual cemetery Sunday Mass, which attracts thousands of people to the SS Peter & Paul Cemetery on the Stradbally Road in Portlaoise.
A policing plan was in place as gardaí had intelligence that an incident was possible. There was a large presence of local uniformed gardaí on the scene, backed by the Garda Public Order Unit.
It is understood that the incident happened when gardaí were dealing with a small non-violent disturbance involving some local members of the travelling community. It's believed that the violence flared at a separate location in the cemetery at this point.
The situation worsened when a small number of Travellers who are not from Laois entered the cemetery.
Gardaí confirmed that several people were injured and that knives were used in the row. Some of those involved were also arrested.
They said the Garda presence and response contained the incident and prevented a more serious escalation in the violence.
Gardaí appealed to anyone who was at the Mass and who may have video footage of the violence to provide it to Portlaoise Garda Station to help with what is an ongoing investigation.
A spokesperson for Laois Offaly Gardaí condemned what occurred, saying those involved had shown a complete disregard for public safety at what was a sacred event attended by many local people.
The annual Mass is organised by Portlaoise Parish and the cemetery is the property of Laois County Council. The Portlaoise Parish Cemetery Committee is due to meet this week to discuss the incident.
Gardaí were on duty for the last four years at the event, with no incidents.
Local County Councillor and member of the graveyard committee, Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley, has condemned the actions at Sunday’s Mass.
“As a member of Portlaoise Cemetery Committee, I was on the main gates today for the Annual Cemetery collection,” the Cllr said in a statement.
“The scenes and disgraceful violence that took place at a packed Cemetery mass has no place in society. I want to thank An Garda Siochana and the armed response for the great work today,” she said.
“I would like to thank Monsignor Byrne and all the clergy who were there today and I also want to thank the Committee members, particularly those who took terrible abuse today when stopping vehicles entering the graveyard.
“Finally I want to thank the public for the great contribution to the collection and hopefully it won’t put people off next year. This is a very important community event where we remember our loved ones,” she finished.