The “long suffering” mother of a man who appeared before Mullingar District Court on Thursday was recognised by Judge Patrick Clyne when her second son came before him last Friday.
Christopher Nevin (24 ) of 67 Farran, Ashe Road appeared before the judge on Thursday charged with public order offences but wasn’t in court when he was called.
When his mother shouted out that she’d go to get him, the judge asked, “Are we in Liffey Valley or are we in court?”
“If she comes back in, tell her to notify her solicitor without notifying the entire country,” he observed.
Nevin pleaded guilty to shouting in the face of Garda Colm Stenson as he attempted to deal with another incident on Oliver Plunkett Street in the early hours of August 6 last year.
The judge noted that Nevin had “a string of previous as long as your arm” but had no day job.
On hearing that his mother was “very supportive,” the judge said “He doesn’t need mammy’s support. He can stand on his own two feet.”
To put some structure in Nevin’s life he ordered a probation report to consider the number of hours community service he might recommend for him in lieu of a prison sentence for the offence of threatening behaviour.
When his brother John Nevin appeared before the court on Friday, the judge noted that he recognised his mother but observed that Nevin, who faces drink driving charges, is up to his neck in trouble “without a paddle”.
He said Mr Nevin was facing his third disqualification and wanted to make sure he didn’t come before the court again and said he had every intention of imposing a jail sentence.
His mother told the court that he hadn’t been driving since his licence was taken before Christmas, but the judge said he could not trust him to stay off the road.
Mr Louis Kiernan said his client was no longer smoking cannabis.
“Well he’s hardly likely to tell you he’s doing it,” commented the judge imposing a two month prison sentence and ordering a six year driving ban.
He ordered that Nevin serve the first 15 minutes of the sentence in the courtroom and he suspended the rest, for two years on condition that he remain intoxicant free.
“That means everything,” he warned. “Not just the G&T. It includes anything he inhales.”
“Have you any more sons to bring in to me?” the judge asked Mrs Nevin as she thanked him.
“I hope not, judge,” she answered, referring to “a mother’s pain” as she walked out the door.
