Two men have been remanded in custody after one of
the Republic of Ireland's oldest monuments was desecrated and a holy
well was defecated in during a drink-fuelled party organised on Facebook.
William Sweeney (19) and Raymond McCormick (21), both from Derry,
admitted criminal damage at the monument in Burt, Co Donegal, when they
appeared before Letterkenny District Court last Monday.Police officer Eddie Doherty told Judge Paul Kelly of the "absolutely disgraceful scenes" at the fort last Saturday.
"Someone had actually defecated in a holy well which is beside the site, someone had defecated on the paths leading to the site and there was debris everywhere; everything from broken glass bottles to women's knickers, you name it, it was there," he said.
Doherty said the accused were mocking American tourists and had also targeted a Chinese family who had taken refuge in their car.
Patsy Gallagher, defending, said both clients were "deeply remorseful" for their behaviour.
The judge remanded the men to Castlerea Prison.