Four men who put family in fear during 'frightening' ordeal plead guilty to violent disorder

Four defendants accused of committing violent disorder and of putting a person in fear pleaded guilty in Longford Circuit Court last week and apologised for their actions.

David Joyce (28) of 35 Palace Crescent, Longford, John Keenan (31) of 37 Palace Crescent Longford, Michael 'Jnr' Ward, (33), 30 Palace Crescent, Ardnacassa, Longford, and Martin Keenan (34) of 81 Ardnacassa Avenue Longford pleaded guilty to the offence.

The defendants were charged with committing violent disorder putting a person in fear at the home of Mary Nevin at 68 Grian Ard Ardnacassa, on October 3, 2021.

Leading Garda Sinead Ó Muircheartaigh's evidence, State prosecutor Shane Geraghty BL said Mrs Nevin, her husband Billy and their five children, aged between four and 12 years, were all in their beds at the time of the incident shortly before 10.30pm.

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Mrs Nevin said in her Garda statement she heard men roaring outside and she was frightened for the safety of her family during the disturbance, particularly her youngest child who has a heart condition and was left 'shaken'.

"Mrs Nevin described that the window was open and the blind was down and she pulled it up and saw men come into her garden coming from the right up past Palace Crescent," Mr Geraghty said. "She described how she saw Davy Joyce wearing a T-shirt, Michael 'Junior' Ward and John Keenan and she saw more of them but she saw David Joyce's face."

Mr Geraghty outlined that Mrs Nevin, who has been living in Longford town for 13 years and the Grian Ard estate for six years, stated that she recognised and knew all of the men.

"Michael 'Junior' Ward was first into her garden with an iron bar and Mr Ward broke the window of the playroom to the left of the door.," he said. "She described then that John Keenan ran to her front door and he had an iron bar in his hand too."

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Mr Geraghty described how Mrs Nevin told Gardaí that the men shouted for Billy to come out and "she saw David Joyce smash the front of their sitting room window" with an iron bar.

"She described that as she heard her front door being smashed in she was afraid that they were trying to get in at us," the State prosecutor said. "She said that she told her husband Billy to hide and she roared out to the accused that Billy was out and it was just her and the kids that were there."

Mr Geraghty stated that as Mrs Nevin roared at Joyce, a father of three, to stop she could see his face despite efforts being made by him to conceal his identity.

The court heard Joyce's parents John and Annmarie Joyce then drove down the road and parked their car nearby and they pulled their son out of the garden, into their vehicle and away from the area.

"Mrs Nevin said she did not know what was over, the kids were very upset and the house was destroyed with glass downstairs," Mr Geraghty said. "She said they were roaring threats at us and it was a very frightening scenario. "

The court heard Mrs Nevin made an additional statement that John Keenan Snr, the father of Martin and John and the father in law of Michael 'Junior' Ward, came to the door the following Thursday and apologised for what his sons had done.

He told Mrs Nevin he had collected money from all of them and they would pay a company to install new windows and a door and €3,000 was then paid to a firm who completed the job.

Billy Nevin said he heard the windows and door of his home being smashed but he did not see the incident as it unfolded.
The court heard Mrs Nevin attempted to withdraw her complaint, however, the State submitted a file to the DPP and approval to bring the prosecution was granted.

Detective Garda Keelan Brennan and Detective Garda Orla Geraghty assessed CCTV footage of the incident which was obtained and played in court.

However, defence barrister Niall Flynn put it to Garda Ó Muircheartaigh "that nobody's faces were visible" and she accepted they were not easily identifiable.

The court heard Martin Keenan has 12 previous convictions, John Keenan has 28 previous convictions, Ward has 60 previous convictions and Joyce has 50 previous convictions.

Gardaí accepted there has been no subsequent since then and peace had been restored.

Barrister for Joyce, Nicola Delaney BL, said the compensation paid shows the remorse of her client.

"At first glance his previous convictions look horrendous but they were all imposed in the district court with a lot of driving offences" she added.

Defence barrister for Martin Keenan, Gerard Groarke BL said his client is currently in prison for a separate matter.

The father of four is deemed to be at a high risk of reoffending according to the Probation Services and he has shown no interest in engaging with addiction services.

"In light of his family situation and his stated intention to stay off drink I'd ask you to take that into account judge," Mr Groarke said.

Defence barrister for Ward, Niall Flynn apologised to Judge Connolly and said he deeply regretted his actions and he is actively seeking work.

Meanwhile, John Keenan, who is also in prison on a separate matter, apologised to the court and Gardaí.

Judge Connolly said it was undoubtedly a frightening experience for Mrs Nevin and her family.

He welcomed the guilty pleas which he said had saved the court valuable time and he stated would consider the case before delivering his verdict on Tuesday, November 12.