Sweeney Family Flees Following Birmingham Brawl

Ellen Sweeney, 39, her husband Thomas Sweeney senior, 43, and their son Thomas Sweeney junior, 18, have gone on the run after being implicated in a violent brawl in Birmingham, described as one of the worst in the city's history. The family, along with David Mongan, 18, and several other relatives, attacked a group of men and women outside the Glamorous nightclub, resulting in severe injuries, including one victim being knocked unconscious and another suffering a deep cut from a glass bottle. Despite pleading guilty to violent disorder, the Sweeneys failed to attend their sentencing at Birmingham Crown Court for the second time, leading to their sentences being imposed in absentia. Allegations arose that they fled to the Republic of Ireland after claiming their son was about to get married. Mongan was present in court and received a three-year sentence for his role in the violence and additional shoplifting charges. Judge Dean Kershaw condemned the group as 'cowards' for their mob-like behavior during the attack.