Further time on possession of pitchfork case

Gardaí have been given a further six weeks to prepare a case taken against a Mullingar man accused of possessing a pitchfork and causing criminal damage to a vehicle over five months ago.

Martin Nevin (21) with an address at Oberstown, Naas, Kildare, was charged with both alleged offences following separate incidents at Woodlands Avenue, Mullingar, County Westmeath and Ennell Park, Ennell Court, Mullingar, Westmeath on September 11, 2025.

Sgt Orla Keenan told the court at the outset of the case that directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) were awaited in connection to the criminal damage incident.

She said having held a conversation with the investigating garda the day before last Thursday’s weekly court sitting, Sgt Keenan revealed that delay centred on the value of alleged damage that had been caused to the vehicle in question.

The state’s court presenter requested a date in April to allow directions to be received in an application Judge Bernadette Owens said she would mark as “time passing” against the prosecution.

Defence counsel Larisa Sabou, BL, had asked for the matter to be marked “peremptory”, opening the prospect to the case being struck out should directions not be at hand on the next occasion.

Judge Owens made a disclosure order to Mr Nevin’s instructing solicitor John Shanley and indicated jurisdiction would likely be decided upon its return date in April.

Sgt Keenan, meanwhile, said the DPP had given summary disposal approval for the section 10 offensive weapons charge and remanded Mr Nevin on bail to a sitting of Mullingar District Court on April 9.

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