Finks bikie Daniel James Sweeney bail application fails in District Court

A Finks bikie was worried he was “embarrassing” the club when he failed to finish an alleged blackmail job, a court has heard.

A Finks bikie who allegedly sent messages worrying he was “embarrassing” the club after failing to “finish” an alleged blackmail job has had a bail bid rejected ahead of a trial.

The District Court heard an application from Daniel James Sweeney, 50, for release on home detention bail to live with his partner in Mile End who was due to undergo extensive surgery.

Opposing bail, prosecutor Sarah Attar told the court Mr Sweeney, of Davoren Park, had allegedly used his membership as an intimidation tactic during the alleged offending.

“Plainly, the invocation of his membership to the complainant during the course of the blackmail can only have been done because he was well aware of the fear that that comment and that membership would engender,” Ms Attar said.

Daniel James Sweeney made an application for bail in the District Court.

During prosecution submissions, Judge Anthony Allen remarked about further allegations that Mr Sweeney sent messages via a communication app claiming it was “embarrassing” to have not allegedly finished the job.

“Well isn’t there also evidence taken from his mobile phone regarding the signal communications, about wanting to go back and saying there was unfinished business and that it’s an embarrassment to the club to leave it in that state,” His Honour said.

Mr Sweeney has pleaded not guilty to one count of aggravated blackmail and is set to face trial in December.

During a previous application for bail in the Magistrates Court, new allegations were heard that the alleged offending related to the attempted collection of a $5000 “club debt” on behalf of the Finks outlaw motorcycle club.

This allegation has not been brought as an aggravating feature to the charge.

The court heard Mr Sweeney invoked his membership during the alleged offending.

Previously the court heard examinations of Mr Sweeney’s phone allegedly uncovered video and audio messages said to be related to the alleged offending.

The messages allegedly included “getting the **** in Semaphore”, “grab more money off him”, and “kicking in his door”.

The court heard that 12 hours after Mr Sweeney’s arrest on April 5, 2024, a rock was thrown at the complainant’s Glanville address.

Counsel for Mr Sweeney submitted their client had begun to “distance” himself from the Finks club and no longer wanted to participate.

Judge Allen said he was “extremely wary” of submissions of that nature.

Defence further submitted Mr Sweeney was suffering from his own medical issues, and was unable to acquire his prescription within custody.

Judge Allen found Mr Sweeney had not displaced the presumption against bail – but if the presumption had been in favour of bail, His Honour said he would still have rejected his bail bid.

Mr Sweeney was remanded in custody prior to the trial scheduled for December this year.

Originally published as Finks bikie Daniel James Sweeney bail application fails in District Court