Courts / Galway / Report

Co Galway man gets four years for brutal Mayo petrol station assault

Date
2025-11-06

Stage
Sentence

Court
Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court

Primary locality
Galway

County
Galway

Summary

A Galway man has been sentenced to four years in prison, with the final year suspended, following a violent assault at a petrol station in Ballinrobe, Co Mayo in January 2023. Tommy Sweeney, aged 23, of Castlepark, Ballybane, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and producing a weapon at Corrib Oil service station on Neale Road. At Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court, Judge Eoin Garavan heard that the victim, who was sitting in his car, suffered serious head injuries including skull fractures and blood loss after being attacked by two men armed with a machete and slash hook. The assailants had waited approximately 45 minutes at the garage before striking. CCTV footage showed Sweeney holding the machete during the coordinated attack. The judge described the incident as part of an ongoing feud involving families from the travelling community across Galway and Mayo. Upon release, Sweeney must complete a year of probation supervision and remain substance-free.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Co Galway man gets four years for brutal Mayo petrol station assault. Charges or matters: assault causing harm and producing a weapon at Corrib Oil service station, Neale Road, Ballinrobe, Co Mayo on January 31, 2023. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

January 31, 2023 Incident
2025-11-06 Publication

Why: It doesn't reduce moral culpability because Sweeney's weapon was not used,' said the judge. CNI source report

Case subjects

Tommy Sweeney

Convicted Person

Charges: assault causing harm and producing a weapon at Corrib Oil service station, Neale Road, Ballinrobe, Co Mayo on January 31, 2023 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Tommy Sweeney (23) of Castlepark, Ballybane, Co Galway, was sentenced to four years in prison with the final year suspended. Sweeney was ordered to undergo a year of probation supervision on his release, to remain alcohol and substance free and to engage in training and employment as directed.