A family has gone into hiding after being involved in what authorities termed as “one of the worst” altercations to occur in Birmingham city centre. The group, comprising Ellen Sweeney, aged 39, her husband Thomas Sweeney senior, 43, their son Thomas Sweeney junior, 18, and David Mongan, 18, among other relatives, unleashed a vicious attack on several men and women as they exited the Glamorous nightclub in the Gay Village during the early hours. The violent assault left one man unconscious after being subjected to a brutal barrage of punches, kicks, and stamps while lying on the ground. A woman sustained a severe gash on her chest from a glass bottle, another victim suffered seizures due to head injuries, and additional victims sustained cuts and bruises.
The Sweeney family, formerly residing on Kitts Green Road, Stechford, all pleaded guilty to charges of violent disorder and were sentenced in absentia at Birmingham Crown Court on Tuesday, September 17, as they failed to appear in court for the second time in two weeks. Despite claims that Thomas junior was about to get married, which influenced the decision to grant them bail at a previous hearing, it is reported that they have since fled to the Republic of Ireland. David Mongan, from Frederick Road, Stechford, did appear in court and received a prison sentence for his involvement in violent disorder and three instances of shoplifting.
Judge Dean Kershaw strongly condemned the group, labelling them as “cowards” for engaging in violence against intoxicated individuals in a mob-like manner. He described the incident as one of the most severe violent disorders in the city, involving multiple people being attacked in gratuitous ways. The altercation began in the early hours of July 15 the previous year, escalating over several minutes until police intervened.
Video footage revealed that the altercation originated as a verbal dispute involving Thomas senior and an Asian man on Hurst Street, which quickly turned physical. Despite later claiming to have been a victim of racial abuse, no evidence supported Thomas senior’s statement. The violent engagement unfolded with members of the Sweeney family becoming involved, along with Thomas junior and Mongan aggressively pursuing the Asian individual through the Gay Village. Mongan proceeded to unleash a vicious assault, delivering 21 punches and 14 kicks to the man, and also striking another individual who attempted to intervene. Thomas junior and Thomas senior joined in the assault, with Thomas junior delivering multiple punches and kicks to the victim while Thomas senior also participated.
Ellen Sweeney seemed to be attempting to protect the man from her family members but was forcibly moved away and ended up sprawled on the street. The violent attack continued for several minutes before moving back to the nightclub entrance. Ellen Sweeney engaged in a physical altercation with another woman, punching her and hurling insults, leading to further chaos as her family members joined in. A friend of the woman was injured by one of the defendant’s relatives, and an unrelated man was knocked to the ground. The victims tried to flee towards a nearby establishment for help but were pursued and attacked again by the assailants.
Police arrived shortly after, making arrests. The Sweeneys relocated from Birmingham to an address in Croydon, London, and were granted bail there. However, they failed to report to authorities as required. Investigations revealed that Ellen Sweeney had falsely claimed to be in Scotland visiting relatives when she was actually in the Republic of Ireland, prompting the involvement of Interpol and Irish authorities in their capture.
David Mongan, who was sentenced to three years and four months, conducted a series of profitable shoplifting incidents involving large quantities of goods. His defence counsel highlighted his immaturity and intoxication at the time of the violent incident in the Gay Village, stating that he regretted his actions. Thomas junior and Thomas senior received sentences of two years and four months and 34 months, respectively. Thomas senior’s lawyer mentioned his client’s history of trauma and mental health struggles as mitigating factors, while Thomas junior’s legal representative emphasised that the violent behaviour was uncharacteristic of him.
Ellen Sweeney, sentenced to one year and 11 months, expressed remorse and regret through her barrister, acknowledging her initial attempt to protect the victim but also accepting responsibility for her role in escalating the violence. The judge expressed a lack of confidence in her commitment to community-based sanctions due to her history of failing to comply with court requirements, leading to her custodial sentence. Ultimately, the authorities are now engaging Interpol and Irish law enforcement to locate and apprehend the Sweeney family members who have evaded justice.