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Olympic boxing hero John Joe Nevin's career in doubt after vicious gang attack
The boxing career of Olympic hero John Joe Nevin hung in the balance last night after he sustained a broken leg in a vicious assault by a gang of men at his Mullingar home.
The attack on Nevin, who won silver for Ireland at the London Olympics, has been linked to a personal dispute.But it has raised fears that long-simmering tensions between a number of Traveller families in the midlands will erupt again.
Nevin, 25, was also badly beaten but the most serious injury is a badly fractured leg. His injuries were described as "severe but not life-threatening". He was brought to Mullingar General Hospital for emergency treatment and to stabilise his condition.
Doctors were then due to transfer him to Tullamore General Hospital for an operation on his leg at a specialised orthopaedic unit.It's understood doctors have indicated it could be another three months before he can start rehabilitation.
Nevin's fame means he has become a target for attacks from jealous rivals. A gang damaged his BMW car and attacked his house in 2012.Yesterday's attack occurred at about 10.30am at his home in the Ardleigh estate in Mullingar.A number of men smashed their way into his home before carrying out the attack. It is not known if weapons were used.
In recent weeks a number of provocative messages were posted on social media pages.
Mullingar gardai were on full alert as members of Nevin's extended family rushed to the hospital.
John Joe Nevin turned professional last October and got his career in the paid ranks off to a winning start on St Patrick's Day. He beat Alberto Candelaria with a unanimous points decision.
At the launch of his professional career last October, Nevin was bullish about the future. "This is the next step for me. I've done everything I wanted to do in the amateur business. If I could change the colour of the Olympic medal I would, but that's done and now it's time to move on and hopefully bring back a world title to Ireland."
Yesterday's assault is a major setback for the young boxing star. Depending on the severity of the injuries, it could threaten his long-term future as a professional athlete.
Article Link: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sp...-30159994.html
The boxing career of Olympic hero John Joe Nevin hung in the balance last night after he sustained a broken leg in a vicious assault by a gang of men at his Mullingar home.
The attack on Nevin, who won silver for Ireland at the London Olympics, has been linked to a personal dispute.But it has raised fears that long-simmering tensions between a number of Traveller families in the midlands will erupt again.
Nevin, 25, was also badly beaten but the most serious injury is a badly fractured leg. His injuries were described as "severe but not life-threatening". He was brought to Mullingar General Hospital for emergency treatment and to stabilise his condition.
Doctors were then due to transfer him to Tullamore General Hospital for an operation on his leg at a specialised orthopaedic unit.It's understood doctors have indicated it could be another three months before he can start rehabilitation.
Nevin's fame means he has become a target for attacks from jealous rivals. A gang damaged his BMW car and attacked his house in 2012.Yesterday's attack occurred at about 10.30am at his home in the Ardleigh estate in Mullingar.A number of men smashed their way into his home before carrying out the attack. It is not known if weapons were used.
In recent weeks a number of provocative messages were posted on social media pages.
Mullingar gardai were on full alert as members of Nevin's extended family rushed to the hospital.
John Joe Nevin turned professional last October and got his career in the paid ranks off to a winning start on St Patrick's Day. He beat Alberto Candelaria with a unanimous points decision.
At the launch of his professional career last October, Nevin was bullish about the future. "This is the next step for me. I've done everything I wanted to do in the amateur business. If I could change the colour of the Olympic medal I would, but that's done and now it's time to move on and hopefully bring back a world title to Ireland."
Yesterday's assault is a major setback for the young boxing star. Depending on the severity of the injuries, it could threaten his long-term future as a professional athlete.
Article Link: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sp...-30159994.html
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