Niamh Mack banned from Camden pubs after sparking brawl

Find out why a 20-year-old nurse has been banned by her local Liquor Accord from entering any licensed premises’ in her area for the next ten years.

A young nurse has been banned from entering any licensed venue in her local area after sparking a brawl at a popular venue in Sydney’s southwest.

Niamh Erin Mack appeared at Picton Local Court on Tuesday where she pleaded guilty to one count of affray following a violent brawl at Camden in April.

The 20-year-old was on a night out with friends at Plough & Harrow on Argyle St in the early hours of April 18, sitting with her friends in the rear beer garden of the pub.

Niamh Mack is banned from any licensed venue in Camden for the next ten years. Picture: Instagram

At about 1.30am she “exchanged words” with another group of men in the pub before walking towards them, court documents state.

According to court documents Mack spoke to the group before swinging her right arm at one of the men, who was forced to jerk backwards to avoid being hit.

The 20-year-old swung her left arm towards his head before immediately swinging again with her right hand, aimed at his head.

“The male pushed Mack backwards attempting to move back from her but the accused continued to approach him, swinging once more,” court documents state.

By this time Mack’s friends approached the man, sparking a large brawl between five men as security worked to stop the fight.

Niamh Mack was at the Plough & Harrow where she sparked a brawl in April. Picture: Instagram

Police were called to the venue and found Mack in the car park, who claimed she had been choked by one of the men and her friends “protected” her.

CCTV footage of the incident showed Mack had not been choked but rather sparking the incident, which led to the brawl, court documents state.

The young nurse confessed to police she had “thrown the first punch because the unknown male had been ‘looking at her’,” and was affected by alcohol.

Defence solicitor Kate Jackson told the court her client understood the incident was “serious violence”.

“They were aggravating circumstances fuelled by alcohol but she is a young 20-year-old and a person of good character,” Ms Jackson said.

The court heard Mack had received a Campbelltown Aboriginal Young Nurse of the Year award and was working to start tertiary studies to be a nurse.

The 20-year-old is working to become a tertiary qualified nurse. Picture: Instagram

“A conviction will stop her employment and she is deeply remorseful for her offending,” Ms Jackson said.

“She is unlikely to reoffend given her age and the remorse she has shown.”

A police prosecutor said Mack had to be dragged away from the men by security with her actions “starting a large brawl”.

Magistrate Mark Douglass agreed the offence was serious but acknowledged the 20-year-old now understood.

“I believe this is a one-off, out-of-character and won’t happen again but this is a serious example in relation to this matter,” Mr Douglass said.

As a result of the offending Mack has been banned from entering any licensed premises‘ in Camden over the next ten years.

Mack was not handed a conviction but placed on a Conditional Release Order for a period of 18 months.