Judge sends four Longford men to prison for 'terrorisation' of family and warns "feuding equals jail"

Four Longford men who pleaded guilty to violent disorder and putting a person in fear after the 'terrorisation' of a family were jailed for varying periods of up to 39 months at Longford Circuit Court today.

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.

Gardaí were not told by any of the defendants why they carried out the attack and caused €3,000 damage to the house by smashing a door and six windows to smithereens.

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At a hearing last week, 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.

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.

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"Michael 'Junior' Ward was first into her garden with an iron bar and he 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."

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.

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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, the four defendants 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 incidents since the night of the disturbance and peace had been restored.
All four defendants handed in letters of apology for the incident.

Judge Kenneth Connolly heavily criticised the men, who are all the fathers of young children, for targeting the Nevin family, particularly with five young children in the house and knowing the consequences and fear they were likely to experience.

Barrister for Joyce, Nicola Delaney BL, said the compensation paid shows the remorse of her client and the court heard he has two young children who have health difficulties.

Judge Kenneth Connolly described Joyce's behaviour as being 'utterly shameful' for being a father of five himself and frightening the Nevin children and also because he was now going to be going to prison for a lengthy period leaving his wife to care for their sick children.

Meanwhile, the Probation Serves said Martin Keenan, a father of four, was deemed to be at a high risk of reoffending, however, he was one of the men who was not seen with an iron bar.

His wife Zita told Judge Kenneth Connolly he has not drank alcohol for 10 months and he was eager to change, however, Judge Kenneth Connolly noted he has shown no interest in engaging with addiction services.

The judge was also critical of John Keenan and Ward for carrying iron bars to the Nevins house and commented on how the front of the house had been 'decimated'.

"The background to this affray of family feuding is something I can not and will not tolerate. Feuding equals jail," Judge Connolly added.

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

Judge Connolly, who remarked on how Joyce had been identified at the scene and smashed the sitting room windows, noted he had excellent testimonials.

He sentenced both Joyce and John Keenan to two years and six months in prison for the affray with the latter also receiving an eight month sentence for a separate assault causing harm offence which is to run consecutively.

Joyce turned to his family and said the two years and six months "will fly by" as he was led away to begin his sentence.
Martin Keenan was handed a two year prison sentence for his offending with Judge Connolly remarking that he may be somewhat less culpable.

Meanwhile, Judge Connolly stated Ward, who was also identified at the scene, had a "very unimpressive record".

He heard the defendant had previously engaged poorly with the Probation Services and he saw community service as a 'soft sentencing option'.

He sentenced Ward, a father of five young children, to two years and six months and he separately imposed an eight month sentence for a separate careless driving offence.

Ward turned to his family and said "Peace out" as he was led away by prison officers.
Judge Connolly said that despite the terrifying attack on the house lasting less than two minutes it caused significant damage and distress to Mary and Billy Nevin and their kids.

"I have viewed the photographs and all that was left of the windows was the frames. The level of violence was quite stark and this was a terrorisation of the Nevins," he concluded.