Mayor of Hawkesbury Council, Patrick Conolly, stabbed after six men invaded home, kids hid in bushes

A terrifying horror home invasion has rocked a Sydney community, with a source close to the family sharing terrifying details from the night.

The mayor of Hawkesbury Council, in NSW’s outer Sydney area, has been stabbed by up to six men in a brutal home invasion.

Police believe a case of “mistaken identity” may have resulted in Patrick Conolly, 32, being stabbed in the upper left arm after the group forced their way into his Bligh Park home at 12.45am on Monday morning.

His wife and four young children were also present.

A source close to the family told The Daily Telegraph two of Mr Conolly’s children “were hiding in the bushes,” during the attack.

“They were terrified,” they said.

Stream more Australian news with Flash. 25+ news channels in 1 place. New to Flash? Try 1 month free. Offer ends 31 October, 2022 >

Patrick Conolly

Mr Conolly was treated at the scene before being taken to Westmead Hospital in a stable condition. A spokeswoman for NSW Police told news.com.au his family were “shaken but uninjured”.

“Police are investigating after a man was stabbed in the arm after a reported home invasion near Windsor this morning,” she said.

“Officers from Hawkesbury Police Area Command were called to a Porpoise Cres in Bligh Park at about 12.45am on Monday in response to reports several men had forced their way into the home.”

Patrick Conolly was stabbed in his home after a violent home invasion. Picture: Supplied

Initial reports suggest five to six men were involved in the assault where they threatened Mr Conolly, before the attack occurred. It’s unknown whether they were known to him.

The men then fled the scene in the family’s white Skoda vehicle, with “a few of personal items,” where they remain at large.

Police are appealing for any witnesses or people with possible dashcam footage to contact NSW Police or Crimestoppers.

Mr Conolly has been the mayor of the Hawkesbury Council since 2020 and was re-elected unopposed earlier this year.

On Facebook, fellow councillor, Sarah Richards paid tribute to the mayor and wished Mr Conolly a speedy recovery.

“My thoughts and all of my love is with my dear friend Patrick, and his family, after the terrifying home invasion overnight,” she wrote on Facebook.

“I wish him a speedy recovery and will be beside him every step of the way through this awful time.”

Originally published as Mayor of Hawkesbury Council, Patrick Conolly, stabbed after six men invaded home, kids hid in bushes