URGENT UPDATE: A man has been sentenced to 3.5 years in prison after brutally attacking another camper with a baseball bat over loud music. Dylan James Heeney, aged 35, was sentenced in Orange District Court on August 8, 2025, following a shocking incident at Burraga Dam on February 4, 2023.
Heeney was found guilty of wounding a person with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm after a jury trial concluded on March 14. The attack has drawn significant attention due to its violent nature and the seemingly trivial cause.
According to court reports, Heeney was camping while the victim was enjoying time with family and friends about 50 metres away. When the victim refused to turn down his music, Heeney escalated the situation dramatically, yelling “Make me” and then responding to the victim’s challenge with “I’ll make you.” Heeney then retrieved a metal baseball bat and struck the victim on the head, causing a severe 5 to 10 centimetre cut down to the bone.
Emergency services quickly arrived on the scene, and the victim was rushed to Orange Hospital for treatment. Heeney, who had been drinking, did not seek help for the victim but returned to his own campsite after the attack.
During sentencing, Judge Penny Musgrave expressed her concern over Heeney’s lack of remorse, stating, “It was an attack upon a stranger, a man simply enjoying a holiday camping with friends and family… it would have been frightening.” She characterized Heeney’s actions as “grossly disproportionate,” stating that the response to a verbal spat was unacceptable and highlighted the vulnerability of the victim.
Heeney has been remanded in custody since the jury’s verdict and will serve a maximum of 5 years and 11 months, with a non-parole period of 3 years and 11 months. He is eligible for release on February 13, 2029, with his sentence backdated to when his bail was revoked.
Judge Musgrave urged Heeney to reflect on his actions while in custody, hoping the sentence would motivate him to engage in rehabilitation programs.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of alcohol-fueled aggression and the importance of conflict resolution, especially in communal settings like campsites. As the community grapples with the aftermath of this violence, many are left questioning the safety of their recreational spaces.
