Gardaí chased champion boxer Michael Nevin for over two hours, court told

By David Raleigh

Gardaí arrested a rising young sports star and cousin of Irish Olympian John Joe Nevin, after chasing him for over two hours, on foot, over four kilometres across the Tipperary/Offaly border, a court heard today.

Michael Nevin, of Greenview, Portlaoise, was today jailed for six months, backdated to August 7, with the final two months suspended, for committing a burglary at the home of a retired garda, while he was out on bail for separate offences.

The 2014 European junior boxing champion also received a four-year driving ban and a €1,250 fine for dangerous driving while been pursued by a Garda patrol car.

Mr Nevin, who had 31 previous convictions, was warned by presiding judge Elizabeth McGrath that his boxing career would be finished if he continued down a criminal path.

Mr Nevin, who the court heard is a 10-time All-Ireland boxing champion, pleaded guilty at Nenagh District Court, to possession of a screwdriver with the intention of using it in a burglary on May 1, 2015.

The 21-year old, who won the European Junior Boxing Championship in Russia last year, also pleaded guilty to two counts of dangerous driving on May 1 last, and with fraudulently using false registration plates on a car, on the same date.

He also admitted entering the home of retired Garda Martin Darcy, at St Conlon's Road, Nenagh, as a trespasser with the intention of committing theft, on July 25 last.

Garda Paudie O'Leary, Nenagh, and Garda Anthony Kirby, Roscrea, chased Mr Nevin for four kilometres on foot across the Tipperary Offaly border, after they spotted him along with two other men acting suspiciously in a car last May, the court heard.

The foot chase began near Roscrea, Co Tipperary, at 4.15pm, and ended two hours and 41 minutes later in Co Offaly.

After Gardaí subsequently lost track of Mr Nevin, they received intelligence from local sources which resulted in them arresting the champion boxer.

Judge McGrath warned the champion boxer: "Your solicitor has outlined you are a good boxer with a career in front of you, and you're going to lose all that if you engage in such conduct in the future."

Mr Nevin was given concurrent six-month and three-month suspended jail sentences for dangerous driving and using false car registration plates.

Twelve other charges, including dangerous driving and driving without a license, tax and insurance, were struck out by the court.

Leave to appeal was granted.