Portlaoise, Ireland – A former Irish boxing champion, Michael Nevin, acknowledged his involvement in a brutal and unprovoked assault that left the victim, Darragh Kinch, in need of multiple facial surgeries. Nevin, 26, pleaded guilty to the attack that took place on November 23, 2022, in Portlaoise during the height of the Covid lockdown.
According to Portlaoise Circuit Criminal Court, the victim was waiting with his partner, Catriona O’Neill, for a ride home when a group of individuals, including Nevin, instigated the assault around 1 am. CCTV footage identified Nevin, Christy Nevin, and Rosaleen Nevin as the main aggressors in the violent incident.
Garda Aisling O’Boyle testified that the assault resulted in Mr. Kinch requiring extensive medical treatment, including the insertion of a metal plate in his face. The court heard that Nevin and his companions appeared to be intoxicated and confrontational before attacking Mr. Kinch and his partner.
During the assault, Mr. Kinch suffered severe injuries, including a broken jaw, nose, and fractures around his eye. As a result, he spent days in the hospital and had to undergo multiple surgical procedures to address his wounds. In a victim impact statement, Mr. Kinch expressed the physical, emotional, and financial toll the attack had taken on him and his partner.
Despite Nevin’s past achievements in boxing, including a bronze medal in the European Championships in 2019, the court was told that he had spiraled out of control due to drug use during the pandemic. Nevin claimed he did not remember the events of the assault and expressed remorse for his actions, stating that he had turned his life around by quitting drugs and alcohol.
The judge acknowledged Nevin’s previous clean record and his potential in boxing but emphasized the gravity of his actions in the assault. Nevin was instructed to gather funds to offer compensation to the victim and was released on bail pending further court proceedings.
This incident serves as a cautionary tale of the consequences of substance abuse and violence, shedding light on the impact it can have on individuals and their communities. As Nevin seeks to rebuild his life and pursue a professional boxing career, the case highlights the importance of accountability, rehabilitation, and the lasting effects of impulsive actions.