Gardaí investigate ‘offensive, sexualised audio’ played outside village church during funerals

Gardaí are now investigating complaints in respect of audio material of an offensive and sexualised nature being played so it can be heard during funerals and ceremonies in Kilgobnet.

The offensive audio was first reported by WLRFM, which received several calls from shocked and offended parishioners.

In one case, mourners were walking to a burial following a local requiem mass when sounds including sexualised material could be clearly heard in the distance.

Several people were left deeply offended by the material, with others saying it was insulting to everyone in the parish.

Kilgobnet’s 123-year-old church has both old and new cemeteries.

Located at the heart of the tight-knit Waterford community, Kilgobnet is a quiet village around 6km from Dungarvan.

There have been a number of recent incidents where ceremonies have been taking place when the noise was audible.

Parishioners have indicated that the sounds came from the general area outside the church grounds, although no specific location was discernible.

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One person said they believed the sounds appeared to be audio emanating from some kind of looped digital recording device given that material seemed to be repeated.

It is unclear if the audio is being deliberately timed to coincide with services at the church, but the complaints indicated it began during the ceremonies and ended shortly afterwards.

A number of families have been left deeply offended by the material involved.

One person told WLRFM that it had caused unnecessary additional distress to families already distraught at the loss of a loved one.

It is understood that door-to-door inquiries will be conducted in a bid to identify the location from where the sound is originating.

Gardaí will also monitor future services in the area to determine if there is any repeat of the offensive audio.