Over a hundred arrested for violent disorder and drunken brawls at midnight mass around the country

By Paul McRingo Religious Correspondent

Gardaí have confirmed that there were over a hundred arrests made nationwide after various incidents of violent disorder and drunken brawls at midnight mass.

The worst incident happened in Tullamore when a man tried to skip the holy communion queue. Tullamore Tribune reporter Henry Jockins was at the scene and spoke to witnesses.

“I’m not a violent man but when that lad jumped the queue I just saw red and started swinging the punches.” said Parish Priest Father Heaney.

The Catholic church have in the past threatened to end the annual tradition of celebrating mass at midnight on Christmas eve due to the number of parishioners turning up drunk.

Head of the Catholic church in Ireland Bishop Bertie Quinn confirmed this morning that of the 108 people arrested at mass last night for violent conduct, 9 are priests and 27 are nuns.