Pick axe handle was for sons’ ‘strength’ training

A father of six has claimed a pick axe handle, baseball bats, thick chains and hurleys found in the back of his van were for his sons’ boxing training.

Michael Sweeney (37) of Glendallon, Ballytivnan was stopped by Gardaí on the Holy Well Road, Tonaphubble on 5 th July 2016 and had his silver Opel van searched.

Garda Healy testified at Sligo District Court last week that Sweeney was with two other males, one of them his son.

A look in the back of his van revealed two base ball bats, a pick axe handle, three hurleys and two thick chains.

The Garda said Sweeney told him the baseball bats and hurleys were for his sons to play with in the park and said the chains were for locking the gates of his house.

He agreed with Mr Gerard McGovern solicitor that Sweeney was very co-operative with the Gardaí.

Sweeney was subsequently charged with possession of articles with intent to cause injury.

Taking the witness stand last week, Sweeney said he had five sons and one daughter, the sons being aged between 9-17 years.

He said they were heavily involved in boxing in Calry, football and hurling, “all the sports.”

“My kids train six days a week. We live five minutes from Calry training grounds. We play there with the base ball bats across from the Sports Complex as well,” he told Judge Kevin Kilrane.

He said the boys used the pick axe handle for hitting tyres “for strength and conditioning” training as they were “big time into boxing.”

“My second eldest qualified for the European Championships,” he added.

As for the chains, Sweeney told Judge Kilrane that he used them to lock “big heavy metal gates” at his home when he was away as he lived in a student area.

Mr McGovern asked his client if he realised that hurleys and other items have been used by the Travelling Community for “other things”.

The accused said he did but said he had a child with special needs and so he couldn’t be “getting involved in that.”

Inspector Donal Sweeney asked the accused what the second heavy chain was for. “A spare,” replied Sweeney. Judge Kilrane convicted him.

The court heard he has previous convictions dating back to 2006.

Mr McGovern told the judge that he knew his client, passed his house every day and sees him with his children on the playing fields.

“I’d ask you to put things back to give him a chance,” he said.

Judge Kilrane said he couldn’t accept Sweeney’s explanation for the baseball bats or the pick axe handle, with no sliotar or boxing gloves found and fined him ¤300.