Sweeney has a criminal past, the judgement noted, but used his own experience of significant criminal convictions from 1975 to 1991, and many years of gang life which he left behind in 1991 to become a drug treatment counsellor from 2014 to 2016.
This meant he had to cut connections with family and friends which he said meant it “has been a lonely journey”.
He is now “30 years drug and alcohol free and out of prison”.
In April 2016, Sweeney’s visitor approval was revoked due to concerns that he maintained an active association with the Mongrel Mob, and that he also did not provide a satisfactory explanation for his visit to a self-care unit.