Nevin to avoid record by giving boxing classes

An Olympic boxer will avoid a conviction for public order offences after he gave a commitment to give four hours coaching to young people in his home town.

At Mullingar District Court, Tony Conroy from Mullingar’s boxing club said they will publicly advertise the class John Joe Nevin has agreed to give on Dec 21.

Last month, Judge Seamus Hughes asked John Joe Nevin, who is president of Mullingar Boxing Club, to come to court yesterday with a plan for a half-day of coaching after he pleaded guilty to threatening behaviour and public drunkenness.

Judge Hughes said he wanted to take a similar approach to his colleague, Judge Alan Mitchell, who gave soccer player Paul McGrath a chance to avoid a conviction for public order offences by contributing to the community through an underage coaching session.

Last month, Judge Hughes heard John Joe and his father Martin Nevin, of St Anthony’s Cottages, Mullingar, had too much to drink when they attended an event in the town on Jul 21 and later had a row on the street about whether to walk home or take a taxi.

Their argument caught the attention of passing community gardaí and members of the public, who looked on while Nevin and his father became aggressive and shouted at the officers.

Martin Nevin put a curse on one of the gardaí and, as he tried to get into a taxi, John Joe ran over and began shouting at him.

Judge Hughes said the people of Ireland are proud of John Joe, but the public order incident was embarrassing and showed neither Nevin in a good light.

However, the judge was pleased with the proposal for the class, saying it would bring the boxer satisfaction. John Joe said he had done similar classes in the past.

Judge Hughes said plenty of young people would look forward to rubbing shoulders with the Olympian, and he wished him the best of luck with his career and said he hopes all his aspirations will be realised.

The judge said he hopes John Joe, who has turned professional and hopes to go to the US soon, will earn lots of money.

He also noted the significant publicity the boxer’s last court appearance generated and said some people could describe that publicity as adverse, but that others say all publicity is good.

Martin Nevin was given the benefit of the Probation Act and was warned to watch himself in future.