'I have a bomb strapped to me' - Woman tells Irish church from altar at Confirmation

A woman was arrested on Saturday, March 21, after allegedly telling a congregation at a Confirmation mass that she had a bomb "strapped" to her.

Gardaí have confirmed they responded to a report of a public order incident at a premises in Navan, Co. Meath on Saturday, March 21, 2026 at around 1pm.

The church webcam at St Mary's Church in Navan, Co Meath, captured the moment a woman approached the altar and spoke to the congregation through a microphone. A clip is being circulated widely on social media.

In the video, a voice can he heard saying "Can I speak?" and "I have a bomb strapped to me" before being approached by two clerics and being ushered away from the altar. 

The incident occurred as pupils from a number of nearby schools were in the church celebrating their Confirmation sacrament. A number of parents who were there praised the quick action of the priests and were thankful it appeared most kids in attendance did not hear what the woman said.

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Gardaí attended the scene quickly and a woman was arrested.

In a statement on Monday, they said: "A woman, aged in her 40s, who was arrested at the scene has since been charged.

"She is due to appear in court at a later date."