A Co. Cavan priest who has not prevented parishioners from attending Mass in the church has been issued with a €500 fine by gardaí reports The Irish Catholic.

Fr PJ Hughes, Mullahoran parish in Co. Cavan has been warned by authorities in the past that the fact that the doors are open and a small number of parishioners can attend Mass is against Covid-19 regulation. This is despite the fact that some legal experts have insisted that religious gatherings are not illegal.

Gardaí have escalated the matter and fined Fr Hughes €500. The priest previously revealed that a garda had told him: “this is your final warning”.

It is thought that Fr Hughes is determined not pay the fine and is prepared to go to jail if necessary.

He is also adamant that he will continue to celebrate Mass while the church doors remain open, although he does not advertise the fact.