A video circulating on social media appears to show Tony Sheahan, the son of revered former AFL reporter Mike Sheahan, asleep at a table outside a luxury Sydney pub.
Exclusive Suburb Scene Sparks Social Media Buzz
The footage, posted to Instagram, seems to capture the 48-year-old slumped motionless in a chair outside the Royal Oak Hotel in Double Bay, one of Sydney's most exclusive suburbs. In the clip, uploaded on Tuesday, Sheahan is holding a mobile phone with a shopping bag beside him.
The caption states the video was taken at 7.50pm at the busy venue. The Daily Mail has approached both Tony Sheahan and the Royal Oak Hotel for comment regarding the incident.
A Troubled Past: The 2022 Uber Hijacking Case
This public episode follows a significant legal ordeal for Sheahan. In September 2022, he faced Waverley Local Court over a bizarre incident that occurred the previous December in Bondi Beach.
The court heard that the former Herald Sun sporting gossip columnist, after consuming around 30 alcoholic drinks and taking a prescribed sleeping pill called Stilnox, stole an Uber driver's car. He was more than three times the legal alcohol limit at the time.
Prosecutors stated Sheahan was suffering from 'some form of delusional paranoia' following a heavy drinking session at Hotel Ravesis. The Uber driver, Janaka Pathirana, told police Sheahan had red eyes, slurred speech, and lethargic reactions, and noted a strong smell of alcohol.
After Sheahan refused to leave the vehicle Mr Pathirana was expecting a female passenger, the columnist moved into the driver's seat and drove off. He was arrested shortly after a brief foot chase by police.
Court Outcome and Path to Rehabilitation
Sheahan pleaded guilty to taking and driving a conveyance without the owner's consent and driving on an expired licence. However, Magistrate Ross Hudson decided not to convict him for the vehicle theft.
The magistrate described Sheahan's subjective case as 'powerful', noting he was on a path to rehabilitation and had shown remorse. Sheahan was placed on an 18-month bond, requiring him to continue treatment. The charge of driving with an expired licence was dismissed.
Tony Sheahan, who formerly wrote the 'Sheahan Ink' sports gossip column for the Herald Sun, has yet to publicly address the latest video from Double Bay.
