Shocking footage has emerged of an enormous fight involving machetes, axes and hammers that disrupted funerals at a Welsh cemetery in Wales, UK.
The incident happened at Swansea’s Morriston Cemetery on August 5, 2022.
Nine funeral-goers were jailed in February, six months after a feud between two family factions boiled over into extreme violence at the Morriston Crematorium.
Swansea Crown Court heard the fight was sparked by an on-going feud between two sides of the family factions – called the O’Brian and Coffey faction, and the Murphy and Thomas faction.
Two other funerals were going on at the time – and grieving families were caught up in the violence.
At some point, three of the brawlers intruded upon a cremation service for a mother-of-five by running into the chapel of rest and spitting on the floor.
They also drank water from a vase before hiding a weapon among the floral tributes, having first wiped it down to try to remove fingerprints.
In a video released by South Wales Police, the fighting factions could be seen wielding weapons like baseball bats and bricks.
In one section, James Coffey who was jailed for two years and three months over the brawl wipes his head to check for a wound as blood pours down his neck.
In another footage, a vehicle travelling at close to 20mph narrowly missed someone in a wheelchair and the person pushing them as they walk along graves.
Firearms officers and a helicopter rushed to the scene when the incident was reported to the police – with South Wales Police launching Operation Hitchin, which led to the arrests of seven men, Wales Online reports.
Detective inspector Carl Price told Wales Online: ‘I think people were shocked by this incident – by the scale of it, the level of violence, the location, and the disrespect it showed to others.
‘With the kinds of weapons that were used and way vehicles were driven around the cemetery it is lucky nobody was killed.’
Police checked hospitals around the south-west of Wales in the aftermath of the clash, as they knew people taking part had been seriously injured.
During their investigation, they also caught several suspects on camera trying to dispose of weapons by throwing them into a stream near a farm.
Paul Thomas KC said: ‘It was beyond the realms of coincidence that between the two sides of the conflict at least one machete, lump hammer, baseball bat, pickaxe handle, shovel, and probably golf clubs were available for use.
From the available footage some of those present for the blessing were dressed as one would expect for a solemn occasion.
‘Many others were in vests with weaponry readily to hand in their vehicles or on their person.’ He added: ‘The death of a family member is one of the most traumatic events in anyone’s life.
‘And the funeral of such a loved one is a sacred time – one of great solemnity, dignity and huge sorrow.’
This tragic family occasion was desecrated by your two warring factions.’
Those identified by police – from teenagers up to men aged in their late 50s – were subsequently charged with offences including violent disorder, possession of offensive weapons, and dangerous driving. All eventually pleaded guilty.
