Woman had extendible baton because she was on ‘high alert’

A Mullingar woman has told a court she was on “high alert” when gardaí found an extendible baton hidden in the floorwell of her car almost 12 months ago.

Kathleen Nevin (42), 206 Dalton Park, Mullingar, Westmeath, was caught with the offensive weapon when stopped by gardaí as she made her way home after visiting her parents shortly before midnight on March 21, 2025.

Sgt Sheila Kenny said the accused aroused the suspicions of gardaí and, when stopped, appeared “nervous” when asked for her driving licence.

During that exchange, gardaí came across the extendible baton on the floor next to the front passenger seat of her 2012 registered vehicle, where her daughter had been sitting.

In defence, Ross Nestor, BL, said Ms Nevin accepted full responsibility for the baton and was keen to follow that up with an early guilty plea.

He said his client’s behaviour was as a result of a number of incidents close to where she lives, and she was on “high alert” as a result.

“She was visiting parents on the night in question and was on her way home,” he said.

Judge Bernadette Owens also learned how Ms Nevin was a full-time carer and counsel said his client had also been fully cooperative with gardaí during their investigation.

Judge Owens adjourned the case and directed Ms Nevin to return to court at a later date with a €300 payment for Mullingar EYE, a Youthwork Ireland Midlands project in Mullingar.