Sydney mayor stabbed during terrifying home invasion

A Sydney mayor is recovering in hospital after being stabbed in the arm during a terrifying home invasion on Monday.

Patrick Conolly, mayor of Hawkesbury City Council, in Sydney's northwest, was attacked when six intruders broke into his Bligh Park home, near Windsor, at about 12.45 am.

Mr Conolly's wife and four children were inside the home at the time but were unharmed in the incident, it's been confirmed.

Mayor of Hawkesbury City Council Patrick Conolly with his wife and four kids
Mayor of Hawkesbury City Council Patrick Conolly was stabbed during a home invasion on Monday while his wife and four kids were also at home. Source: Facebook/Hawkesbury City Council

"Hawkesbury City Council can confirm that there was an invasion at the Mayor of Hawkesbury, Councillor Patrick Conolly’s house last night," the council told Yahoo News Australia.

"The Mayor was injured during the invasion but he has received treatment."

NSW Police confirmed they found the 32-year-old "with a stab wound to his left upper arm".

"He was treated at the scene before being taken to Westmead Hospital in a stable condition," police said in a statement.

"Police have been told five to six men forced their way into the home and threatened the male occupant before he was stabbed."

The men fled the scene in the family's vehicle — a white Skoda — with "a few personal items".

Initial inquiries have led police to believe the incident is a case of mistaken identity. Anyone with information is urged to contact police or Crime Stoppers.

Mr Conolly has been the mayor since 2020. He was re-elected unopposed in January following the Local Government Elections in December, 2021.

"As Mayor, I intend to continue to build on the great work this Council has achieved during my previous term,” Mayor Conolly said at the time.

"My priority will be continuing to make council an organisation that is focused on its customers, our ratepayers and residents. I’ve always believed that council is first and foremost a service provider.

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