‘You walked out in front of my car last night!’ - Longford Judge admonishes theft accused

A 37 year old Longford man has been ordered to stay away from a Spar on the town’s Main Street as part of his bail conditions. 

Mr Shane Nevin of 67 McKeon Park, Longford, was brought before a special sitting of Longford District Court last week, charged with two thefts and a public order offence, all of which occurred in Kellehers Spar on Main Street. 

Prior to dealing with the charges before the court, Judge Michael Connellan sternly addressed the defendant. 

“You walked out in front of my car as I was driving though this town last night,” he said. “Straight out in front! I had to swerve to avoid you. It was half twelve last night, do you remember that.”  

Replied Mr Nevin, “I drink vodka, I’m sorry, Judge.”  

“I don’t care what you do!” Judge Connellan said, “You don’t walk out in front of cars. Be very careful what you do around this town.”

News: Fuel panic: Longford service station sells out three days’ worth of fuel in 24 hours

Mr Nevin was charged with two counts of having stolen alcohol, to the value of €9.60 each time, from Kellehers Spar on March 25 last. 

The prosecuting Garda was Garda Tomas Connaughton.

On a separate charge for public order, which was brought before the court by Garda Graham Pettit, Mr Nevin was accused of “having engaged in threatening, abusive, or insulting words/behaviour” in Kelleher’s Spar on Thursday, April 2 last.  

In giving evidence, Garda Pettit told the court that on April 2 at Garvey’s Lane, he arrested Mr Nevin for the public order offence and also charged him with thefts from Kellehers Spar. He said the accused made no response.

Acting for the state, Sergeant Paul McNally of Athlone Garda Station, told the court Mr Nevin currently had a total of six thefts and one public order matter before the court.

News: Inter-firms All-Ireland semi-final date confirmed: Longford Gardaí set to play Ulster champions

There was no objection to bail however the state requested that a condition be imposed stipulating that Mr Nevin stay away from Kellehers Spar, not to be in the vicinity of it or enter it.  

Mr Nevin - who was represented in court by barrister Ross Nestor acting on the instructions of solicitor Diarmuid Quinn - was remanded on bail until the April 14 sitting of Longford District Court.