Longford man with over 100 convictions who is jailed tells Judge: 'I believe I am a good person'

A Ballymahon man with 110 previous convictions was handed down a five month prison term, with the last three suspended when convicted of public order breaches at Longford District Court.

Gerry Nevin (31) of Mostrim Road, Ballymahon pleaded guilty to all charges against him, but told Judge Bernadette Owens: “I believe I am a good person.”

The charges against Mr Nevin are that on July 31, 2024 at the GAA pitch Mostrim Road, Ballymahon he engaged in threatening and abusive behaviour and public intoxication. He also faced the same charges on October 18, 2024 at Applegreen, Mostrim Road, Ballymahon.

Outlining the case against the defendant Sergeant Mark Mahon told the court that on July 31, 2023 at 8:40 officers attending Ballymahon GAA grounds had received a call from members of the public about a disturbance.

When the officers arrived they found a number of people drinking, with empty bottles left around. Mr Nevin, who was intoxicated, was in the group and when the officers spoke to him he became aggressive and abusive to the Gardai. He was arrested.

The second set of charges stemmed from an incident on October 18, 2024 at Applegreen service station, Mostrim Road, Ballymahon. In this instance Garda arrived at the scene finding Mr Nevin “aggressive and threatening staff” while having a glass filled with alcohol in his hand.

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Solicitor John Quinn said his client was anxious to have the matter concluded: “Gerry wants to get into rehab and set off a different path. He needs medication rather than prison.”

Mr Nevin took to the witness box telling the court he found it difficult to get work because of his previous convictions.

The defendant said he was not abusive to the arresting Gardaí, but had entered a plea to conclude the matter: “I just want everything to be dealt with and to be left alone. I believe I am a good person.”

The defendant asked Judge Owens if he could be transferred out of Castlerea as he had “and issue with one of the prison officers, we don't see eye to eye”.

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Noting the facts of the case Judge Owens said entering a guilty plea “out of practicality” was “not the best way to go about things”.

The judge registered a conviction for the July matters and sentenced Mr Nevin to two months in prison, and a further sentence of five months in prison for the October offences, but suspended the final three months for a period of 18 months.