Feud grandad sentenced over sawn-off shotgun that could have caused ‘havoc’ during fleadh
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A grandfather intercepted with a ‘lethal’ sawn-off pump-action shotgun during a family feud will be jailed for a year.
The seizure, which followed a dramatic car chase, unfolded in a packed area where crowds were heading to Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Mullingar, Co Westmeath, last year.
Yesterday, Judge Keenan Johnson praised gardaí for “pre-emptive actions” in catching John Nevin, aged 55, and his son David, aged 33. He said he “shuddered to think” of the havoc that could have been caused by the weapon, stolen in a burglary in Athenry, Co Galway, 20 years ago.
Imposing sentence yesterday, Judge Johnson noted they were deemed by the Probation Service to be at moderate risk of re-offending.
The pair brought €15,000 to court, which the judge ordered must be awarded to an assault victim in an unrelated case.
Judge Johnson heard that John Nevin, who had procured the illegal firearm, claimed he feared his mother’s house would be subject to arson and his son David, who represented Ireland in boxing as a youth, wanted to protect his father, not cause harm. The judge said this logic did not add up, and people carrying guns tended to use them, intentionally or otherwise.
Both stood with heads bowed as the judge rebuked them over the “inherently dangerous and reckless” incident . The judge imposed a two-and-a-half-year sentence on John Nevin. He suspended the final 18 months on condition he keeps the peace for seven years. He was granted a Christmas reprieve, with the jail term to begin on January 3. He was also handed a three-year driving ban.
David Nevin must do 240 hours’ community service in lieu of 18 months' jail.
John Nevin, of Columb Drive, and father of four David Nevin, of the Cedars, Lakepoint, Mullingar, had pleaded guilty at Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court to offences under the Firearms Act for unlawful possession of a Winchester pump-action shotgun and five cartridges at Columb Drive on August 9, 2023.
John Nevin admitted endangerment of life and dangerous driving charges over his attempt to flee gardaí about to intercept him and his son.
The judge heard from Fr Eamon O’Driscoll, who said they were good family men and the feud had ended after Traveller Mediation Service engagement.
Detective Sergeant Adrian Regan said it was between two sides of the Nevin family. He said he and Det Insp Tom Quinn spoke to the other faction and had exited a housing estate when they saw John Nevin’s car approaching.
They were in an unmarked Garda car and signalled Nevin to stop, but he sped up. David Nevin was in the car, with the passenger seat reclined.
The detective said John Nevin came to a junction and with “tyres smoking”, overtook a car, which had to take evasive action. There were lots of pedestrians, and stewards manning junctions for the Fleadh.
Det Sgt Regan activated his lights and sirens. John Nevin stopped, but David Nevin “jumped out of the vehicle”. “He was holding an object wrapped in a shopping bag; it appeared, I knew from my experience, that it was a sawn-off shotgun,” he said.
Det Sgt Regan identified himself as he drew his official firearm and told him to drop the bag.
David Nevin crossed a fence into a garden and threw the bag under a trailer in a driveway, but Det Insp Quinn retrieved it.
Det Sgt Regan followed David Nevin and told him to stop, which he did after about a 60-yard chase. He was arrested and apologised.
The shotgun was not loaded, and five 12-gauge cartridges were also in the bag.
The detective sergeant also said they did not cause any hassle in Garda custody and agreed it was out of character for them.