Brawl at Mass halted by priest

Fr Declan Hurley, a priest in Navan, Co Meath, yesterday intervened to stop a brawl between members of the Travelling community that erupted outside the church after 1pm Mass.

A TD told how he had to usher his young children to safety as the punch-up, went on for more than 10 minutes.

Peadar Tóibín, Sinn Féin TD for Meath West, said: “As Fr Declan concluded Mass I could hear raised voices at the back of the chapel. When I turned to look, there were about 15 people roaring and pointing at each other.