'Hit squad' member jailed for three years for machete attack outside Mayo filling station

A member of a 'hit squad' who attacked a man with a slash hook and a machete outside a Ballinrobe filling station and left him in a pool of blood has been jailed for three years.

Tommy Lee Sweeney of 214 Castle Park, Ballybane, Galway appeared before Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court where he was sentenced after pleading guilty to assault causing harm to Patrick Barrett outside the Corrib Oil filling station in Ballinrobe on January 31, 2023.

The court heard that Mr Sweeney was one of two masked men who attacked Mr Barrett (39) as he sat in the driver's seat car in the forecourt of the filling station at around 12.30pm.

CCTV footage of the incident was shown to the court and it showed Mr Sweeney holding a machete while his accomplice, who was not before the court, was carrying a long handled slash hook. The person with the slash hook was seen striking Mr Barrett a number of times through the driver door. Mr Barrett managed to escape out the driver's door and managed to crawl into the entrance of the shop before collapsing.

The attack on Mr Barrett was part of an ongoing long running Traveller family feud which has resulted in up to 17 reported incidents of violence in the Galway and south Mayo areas.

Detective Garda Sinéad Caheny explained when she arrived at the scene she noticed a large pool of blood at the entrance. She explained that after viewing the CCTV it showed that Mr Sweeney and the other party had been driving in a grey Honda Accord around the filling station for up to 45 minutes before Mr Barrett and another man arrived in their Toyota Avensis.

Mr Barrett suffered a severe head injury including two large lacerations to the skull and after he was brought to Mayo University Hospital he was transferred to the Beaumont Hospital in Dublin.

Fled the scene

The two attackers fled the scene but their car was later discovered crashed at Cloghans Hill, Tuam and two men were seen fleeing. The Garda helicopter was deployed to help in the search but the two men could not be traced.

Judge Eoin Garavan was informed that after viewing CCTV, members of the scenes of crime unit noticed that one of the attackers placed his hand on the top of Mr Barrett's car. Finger prints were taken which identified Mr Sweeney as one of the suspects and he was arrested. He was interviewed on four occasions but made no comment during the interview.

Detective Garda Caheny explained that Mr Barrett did not wish to make a victim impact statement but he appears to be doing okay.

When questioned by Mr Carroll, senior counsel for Mr Sweeney, Detective Garda Caheny accepted that he did not appear to strike Mr Barrett but suggested that the other person was in the way as he was making attempts to strike him.

Mr Carroll said his client was 20 at the time and was under pressure to take part in the feud but was now married and is expecting their first child next year. He asked Judge Garavan to note the probation report which he described as 'positive' and it was clear from it that his client does not try to belittle his involvement and accepted his responsibility and seriousness of the offence.

Mr Sweeney, he said, has addressed issues to do with addiction issues and was considered a moderate risk of reoffending.

Judge Garavan said that Mr Sweeney was part of a 'hit squad' who waited for 45 minutes getting ready to attack people and inflict as much violence as possible. He added that he was not suggesting it was their intention to kill but death could have been on the cards given the use of a slash hook and machete.

'Absolutely extraordinary'

The level of violence he said was absolutely extraordinary and while Mr Sweeney did not get an opportunity to use it it did not stop him from 'thrusting' it at Mr Barrett when he got out of the car. He said this was a joint enterprise between the two individuals and it did not matter which of them 'got the scalp'.

“He knew his mission and carried it out dutifully,” Judge Garavan commented.

He noted that Mr Barrett suffered head trauma including a fractured skull and lost up to two litres of blood in the attack and it had the potential of causing life altering injuries or death. He added that he had no idea what the intention of Mr Sweeney was but was sure it was more than just to rough Mr Barrett up.

Judge Garavan said that Mr Sweeney was fortunate that the offence took place before the penalty for assault causing harm was increased from five to ten years imprisonment as he would have no difficulty imposing a headline sentence of six to seven years.

He accepted that Mr Sweeney pleaded guilty to the offence and that he was young and immature at the time of the offence and he has not offended since. He noted that Mr Sweeney's wife was pregnant but made it clear that he would not be there for the birth and to do otherwise would be a failure on his part.

Judge Garavan imposed a four year prison sentence and noted that had it fallen under the new sentencing rules he would have imposed a six year sentence. He agreed to reluctantly suspend the final year of the sentence for a two year period on the condition he engages with the Probation Service for one year post release and remains alcohol and drug free.

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