Thursday 29 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 9562Fraud and theft (fuel scam) · Co. Longford · 24 Nov 2023

Longford couple sentenced over €10,000 fuel scam

Martin McDonnell and Julie Nevin, a husband and wife from Longford, pleaded guilty at Longford District Court to a €10,000 fuel scam involving fuel cards issued by Circle K and purchases at fuel stations in the Midlands. Mr McDonnell's offences were on dates unknown in November 2023, with the earliest offence date given as 24 November 2023, and Ms Nevin's fuel purchases took place on 9 and 10 December 2023. Mr McDonnell was sentenced to six months in prison, backdated to 24 March 2026, and Ms Nevin received a five-month jail term suspended for 18 months and was ordered to repay €700 in additional compensation to Circle K. The case was most recently adjourned until 2 February 2027 for a community service assessment.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced15 May
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Martin McDonnell and Julie Nevin, a Longford husband and wife, pleaded guilty to a €10,000 fuel scam.
  • Mr McDonnell accrued €5,323 from fuel stations in the Midlands over a two-day period.
Where
  • Mr McDonnell made an application to Circle K Head Office, Beech Hill Office campus, Clonskeagh, Dublin 4, to obtain three fuel cards for his business, McDonnell Painting and Decorating.
  • The case was heard at Longford District Court before Judge Bernadette Owens.
When
  • Mr McDonnell's offences were committed on dates unknown in November 2023, and the court report gives 24 November 2023 as the earliest offence date.
  • Ms Nevin's fuel purchases took place over the weekend of 9 and 10 December 2023.
Cause
Mr McCarthy said Mr McDonnell had accrued a drug debt and the couple were ordered by criminals to pay.
Charges
  • Mr McDonnell pleaded guilty to 17 charges and 16 charges were withdrawn.
  • Ms Nevin pleaded guilty to 10 charges and 20 charges were withdrawn.
In court
The judge said an aggravating factor was that Mr McDonnell may have been on bail at the time of the offences.
Sentence
  • Mr McDonnell was sentenced to six months in prison, backdated to 24 March 2026.
  • Ms Nevin was sentenced to a five-month jail term, suspended for 18 months.
  • Ms Nevin was ordered to repay €700 in additional compensation to Circle K.
  • A community service assessment was ordered and the case was adjourned until 2 February 2027.
14 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA Longford couple pleaded guilty to engaging in a €10,000 fuel scam. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatMartin McDonnell accrued €5,323 from fuel stations in the Midlands over a two-day period. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whereThe case was heard at Longford District Court before Judge Bernadette Owens. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whereMr McDonnell made an application to Circle K Head Office to obtain three fuel cards for his business. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whenMartin McDonnell's offences were committed on dates unknown in November 2023. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whenMs Nevin's fuel purchases took place over the weekend of 9 and 10 December 2023. (longfordleader.ie)
  • causeMr McCarthy said Mr McDonnell had accrued a drug debt and the couple were ordered by criminals to pay. (longfordleader.ie)
  • chargeMr McDonnell pleaded guilty to 17 charges and 16 charges were withdrawn. (longfordleader.ie)
  • chargeJulie Nevin pleaded guilty to 10 charges and 20 were withdrawn. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtThe judge said there was an aggravating factor that Mr McDonnell may have been on bail at the time of the offences. (longfordleader.ie)
  • sentenceMr McDonnell was sentenced to six months in prison, backdated to 24 March 2026. (longfordleader.ie)
  • sentenceMs Nevin was sentenced to a five-month jail term, suspended for 18 months. (longfordleader.ie)
  • sentenceMs Nevin was ordered to repay €700 in additional compensation to Circle K. (longfordleader.ie)
  • sentenceA community service assessment was ordered and the case was adjourned until 2 February 2027. (longfordleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 15 May2026
    Sentencedlongfordleader.ie, first report
    ‘They got a formula that worked’ Longford couple plead guilty to €10,000 fuel scam

    Court report of guilty pleas and sentences for two defendants in the fuel scam. Earliest offence date given is 24 November 2023; Ms Nevin's offences were on 9 and 10 December 2023.

    convicted, Martin McDonnell, 28, male, named, irish (judged from name)Martin McDonnellconvicted, Julie Nevin, 28, female, named, irish (judged from name)Julie Nevin