Group with slash hooks chased man through Confirmation service

A Confirmation service for more than 90 children was disrupted by wild scenes after Communion, when about a dozen men entered the church carrying slash hooks and chased a man who was attending the ceremony.

The incident in Ballinrobe, Co Mayo, took place shortly after 1.30pm.

Onlookers reported that the man fled into the porch of the church where a large wooden table was broken over his back.