Gardaí found claw hammer in Longford woman's handbag following takeaway fight

Judge Bernadette Owens has remanded a defendant who was found with a hammer in her handbag on continuing bail and said she will review the case and how she is progressing in four months.

Mary Nevin (43) of 3 Camlin Mews, Longford pleaded guilty at the local district court to being in possession of an offensive weapon on June 27 last. Sergeant Mark Mahon, for the State, said gardaí responded to a report of a fight at a takeaway in Teffia Park, Longford at 1am, but the males and females were gone on arrival.

"Gardaí patrolled the area and came across a suspicious male and female who are known to the gardaí."

Sgt Mahon said they observed and spoke to Ms Nevin and a man and they were uncooperative.

"Following a search of Ms Nevin's handbag she was found to be in possession of a hammer."

Sgt Mahon said gardaí arrested the defendant and brought her to Longford Garda Station where she was later charged.
The court heard Ms Nevin had seven previous convictions.

Solicitor Frank Gearty, defending, said his client had 'descended into serious illness' at the time of this offending.

"The father of her children was in jail and he remains in jail.

"In mitigation I would say that the hammer was not, if I may say anything more than in the bag, it was not out nor was there a volition [a will] of the hammer being used."

However, Judge Bernadette Owens replied that a hammer is "not something that you casually put into your handbag", which Mr Gearty accepted.

The solicitor said he had spoken to Ms Nevin's mother and her children and they have given her a ringing endorsement.

"Since this offence arose Ms Nevin has been repatriated to her family in Keenagh, where she now resides.

"She has improved immeasurably and her health in every sense has improved significantly."

Judge Bernadette Owens noted the past six months had been much better for the defendant and she decided to adjourn the case until May 19 next when she will review the matter and she remanded Ms Nevin on continuing bail until then.

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