Woman who verbally abused priest and altar servers during packed mass in Naas Court today

A 40 - year-old qualified accountant from North Kildare appeared in Kilcock Court today charged with verbally abusing the priest and altar servers during a mass in Clane, earlier this year.

Inspector Patsy Glennon outlined how the woman, residing in Maynooth, entered a full church at Church of Pat & St Brigid, Clane, on June 18, 2016.

At the 6.30pm mass, it is understood that the accused was 'swearing'.

Inspector Glennon said that she entered from the Main St and began insulting altar servers along with church staff.

The court heard how the accused was 'escorted' out of the church and was brought to Naas Garda Station where she 'ripped up' a bail bond in the public area of Naas Garda Station.

Evidence was given that the accused had nine previous convictions including a €500 fine for being drunk in an aircraft in 2008, disqualified from driving for four years for refusing a blood / urine test and a €1,00o fine for refusing a breath test.

Defence Solicitor, David Powderley outlined how the accountant lives at home with her parents and has not had a drink since the incident in the church.

Judge Desmond Zaidan said: "You have gone through school to achieve a professional qualification. For the people on the altar who you were abusing, it was horrible. There are certain religions and you would not be standing before me."

Judge Zaidan ordered a probation report for December 6, and requested that the Gardaí speak with the priest and altar servers who were abused.