Three people have been charged in relation to a disturbance at a funeral that involved people armed with hatchets.
The three males, aged 17, 22 and 32, are charged with several offences including possessing an offensive weapon and possessing an article with blade or point in a public place.
They were arrested after scuffles broke out at the service at St Mary’s Catholic Church on the Melmount Road in Strabane, Co. Tyrone on Thursday morning.
The incident is understood to have involved members of the Travelling community.
Police were swiftly on the scene when trouble broke out, having received intelligence that there was the potential for disorder at the funeral.
Officers seized a large haul of weapons, including machetes, hatchets and other bladed weapons.
It is understood some of the weapons were concealed on some of the people involved in the fracas, while others were stashed in vans parked outside the church.
Some of the chaotic scenes were broadcast on the church’s live webcam stream of the service.
Mourners were seen running for the exit amid screaming.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) released a picture of the weapons seized by officers, which included two billhooks, several Stanley knives and more than a dozen hatchets.
No serious injuries were reported.
The PSNI said it was aware of online reports that shots had been fired but said officers had found no evidence to support those claims.
Speaking on Thursday, District Commander Chief Superintendent Emma Bond said: “A significant proactive policing operation was in place this morning in the Melmount Road area to prevent disorder and keep people safe.
“A disturbance did break out within the church however it was quickly addressed.
“A number of dangerous weapons were seized and we are thankful to have been able to remove these items from the streets.
“We are aware of tensions between individuals who were in attendance at the funeral and I am appealing to anyone with influence to help bring about a calm resolution to the current issues.”
Picture: Undated handout photo issued by Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) of hatchets and Stanley knives among weapons seized by the PSNI following a disturbance at a funeral. (Police Service of Northern Ireland/PA).
