John Joes extended family could not watch his final fight in a Mullingar town centre pub because they were barred. As one hotel worker put it to me, ‘If your barred, your still barred’ if they came individually they could get served otherwise they would be denied entry.

There were bouncers on all pub doors on Saturday night in Mullingar.

The Nevin family instead went to the Covert Inn about 9 km  outside the town on the Longford road. In the past there has been feuding between Traveller families in Mullingar leading to onstreet battles with farm instruments and some pubs have been trashed.

Henry McKean visited the Covert Inn where over 100 cousins and close relatives gathered to watch the fight. The atmosphere was tense but friendly. There was no trouble and the family were served willingly with open arms.  The women watched the fight in one section and the men in another.

Henry Mckean spoke to one of John Joe Nevin’s many relatives about not being able to get a drink.

This man speaking to Henry McKean compared it to Apartheid not be able to get a drink.

John Joe Nevin’s mum is very proud of her sons achievements.

Henry McKean spoke to some of John Joe Nevin’s 100 1st cousins who showed up to cheer him on.

This cousin of John Joe felt he was cheated and should of won the fight.

Here are some photos taken on Saturday evening before John Joe’s fight.

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