A small group of protesters gathered outside St Patrick's Church in Ballyhaunis on Saturday evening, to protest over members of the local Muslim community taking part in prayers at a ceremony in the church earlier this year.

The group, called Síol na hEireann, launched a verbal attack on parish priest Fr Stephen Farragher over his decision to allow members of the Muslim community say a blessing and prayer at a ceremony in April praying for the eradication of Covid-19, and in support of frontline workers.

Ballyhaunis has the most diverse population of any town in Ireland, with a strong Muslim community going back to the 1970's.

Fr Farragher approached the group of protesters when they came into the Church grounds ahead of Saturday evening Mass, and a video of the incident was widely circulated on social media.

Members of Síol na hEireann - led by Niall McConnell -also staged a protest in Knock on Saturday afternoon in relation to the cancellation of this year's Novena, due to Covid-19 restrictions.