Naked man in Athlone church released without charge

A man who was arrested after he stood naked on the altar of an Athlone church has been released without charge.

The incident happened on Sunday afternoon last at the Church of Saints Peter and Paul, and camera phone footage of it has been circulating on WhatsApp in recent days.

The footage shows the man, who was naked aside from a covering over his head, standing on the altar of the church. A male and a female Garda can be seen approaching the man and talking to him.

When contacted by the Westmeath Independent, an Athlone Garda spokesperson said officers were notified of the incident at approximately 4.15pm on Sunday and that the man was arrested under mental health legislation.

He was brought to Athlone Garda Station, where he was assessed by a doctor and released without charge with a letter to attend at a hospital.

The Garda spokesperson said the man did not behave in a way that was threatening or aggressive toward others.