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. 9354Theft and possession of a weapon · Co. Longford

Longford woman pays theft compensation and is dealt with under probation

Mary Nevin, 42, of 3 Camlin Mews, Longford, was charged with theft and possession of a weapon, after sportswear worth €170 was stolen from Elvery's on the Athlone Road and cosmetics worth €103.96 were stolen from Boots in Longford town, with the first theft on Christmas Eve 2024. A hammer was found in her handbag in an incident dated June 27 of the previous year, and Garda Tomás Connaughton arrested and charged her. At Longford District Court she paid the balance of compensation owed to the theft victims, and Judge Owens instructed that Section 1(2) of the Probation of Offenders Act be applied, so the matter was dealt with by probation and conditional discharge rather than a sentence being imposed. The latest reported development, from the court report published on May 29, 2026, is that full compensation has been paid and the case has been dealt with under probation.

  1. Reported
  2. Arrested
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Sportswear worth €170 was stolen from Elvery's on the Athlone Road in Longford.
  • Cosmetics worth €103.96 were stolen from Boots in Longford town.
When
  • The first theft occurred on Christmas Eve 2024.
  • The weapon offence occurred on June 27 of the previous year.
Where
The matter was heard at Longford District Court.
Weapon
Mary Nevin was found in possession of a hammer in her handbag, with the location given as Teffia Park.
Investigation
Garda Tomás Connaughton arrested and charged Mary Nevin.
Charges
Mary Nevin was charged with theft and possession of a weapon; these are allegations.
In court
  • Solicitor Frank Gearty said Mary Nevin had already paid €250 and then brought the remaining €50 owed.
  • Solicitor Frank Gearty told the court she had paid full compensation, and Judge Owens acknowledged that full compensation had been handed over.
Sentence
  • Judge Owens instructed that Section 1(2) of the Probation of Offenders Act be applied.
  • The matter was dealt with by probation and conditional discharge rather than a sentence being imposed.
Other details
  • The hammer remained inside her handbag and was not taken out.
  • Another party from whom Mary Nevin is now estranged took responsibility for the hammer.
14 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatSportswear worth €170 was stolen from Elvery's on the Athlone Road in Longford. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatCosmetics worth €103.96 were stolen from Boots in Longford town. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whenThe first theft occurred on Christmas Eve 2024. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whenThe weapon offence occurred on June 27 of the previous year. (longfordleader.ie)
  • weaponMary Nevin was found in possession of a hammer in Teffia Park. (longfordleader.ie)
  • investigationMary Nevin was arrested and charged by Garda Tomás Connaughton. (longfordleader.ie)
  • chargeMary Nevin was charged with theft and possession of a weapon. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtHer solicitor said she had already paid €250 and then brought the remaining €50 owed. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtHer solicitor told the court she had paid full compensation. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtJudge Owens acknowledged that full compensation had been handed over. (longfordleader.ie)
  • sentenceJudge Owens instructed that Section 1(2) of the Probation of Offenders Act be applied. (longfordleader.ie)
  • sentenceThe matter was dealt with by probation and conditional discharge rather than a sentence being imposed. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherThe hammer remained inside her handbag and was not taken out. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherAnother party from whom she is now estranged took responsibility for the hammer. (longfordleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 29 May2026
    Otherlongfordleader.ie, first report
    Hammer time: Longford woman settles theft compensation​

    Court report on the district court hearing: full compensation paid and the Probation of Offenders Act applied. Covers three charges from separate incidents, all against the same defendant.

    accused, Mary Nevin, 42, female, named, irish (judged from name)Mary Nevin