The family of Mr John Nevin, latter a 39-year-old father-of-three, who sadly died, having being arrested almost 10 years ago; have now settled their High Court action for a reported total sum of €117,000.
Mr John Nevin Jr., who had barricaded himself into the bedroom of his house at Templetuohy, Thurles, Co. Tipperary on April 24th 2010, was arrested and taken into custody by Gardaí, after a four-hour stand-off. The arrested man while in custody, later became unwell and was taken to hospital, where he was later sadly pronounced dead.
Mr Justice Garrett Simons, latter who approved the settlement in the High Court, stated it was a very tragic case where Mr Nevin had unfortunately taken a very dangerous concoction of anti-depressant medication combined with alcohol.
Mr John O’Donnell SC, latter counsel for the Nevin family, informed the court that there were significant difficulties with liability in the case and the inquest into Mr Nevin’s death made clear the cause of death was not as a result of the arrested man being in garda custody, either when transported or indeed while present in the Garda station.
The State pathologist concluded the cause of death was from acute alcohol and citalopram intoxication.
Mr Nevin’s widow, Mrs Margaret Nevin, Dalton Park, Mullingar, Co Westmeath and his father Mr John Nevin Snr., residing at Mount Finn Drive, Urlingford, Co Kilkenny, both had taken the proceedings on behalf of the Nevin family, against the Garda Commissioner and the Irish State. The family had alleged negligence in failing to secure the attendance of a suitably qualified person, who was aquainted with the deceased and also alleged a failure to honour an agreement reached by Garda negotiators, thus reducing the possibility of any peaceful resolution, at the house in question.
Mr John Nevin Jr., it was claimed, had been brought to the Garda station instead of directly to a medical facility, latter which it was claimed, constituted an alleged failure to summon timely and appropriate medical assistance.
Liability in the case was fully denied and it was claimed, by Gardaí and the State, that all reasonable care had been taken into account, under the then circumstances, on the date in question.
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