Man says he doesn't hold neo-Nazi views, issues public apology to Warrnambool community

Vince O'Neill, 28, moved to the area about three months ago with his partner and young children for a fresh start and to distance himself from the group.

He said he was shocked and felt like vomiting when he saw his face on Sunday night's episode of 60 Minutes.

"I would like to apologise to the city of Warrnambool. I moved here to put all of that behind me and I never intended to bring any of that sort of ideological stuff with me," Mr O'Neill said.

He said he was reluctant to speak to the media but wanted to share his story as a warning to others, and for the sake of his children so they understood his side of the story which he felt had been misrepresented.

"I feel sickened by the whole experience and now knowing my fresh start has been completely tainted...at the end of the day I've made my own bed and I do have to sleep in it," he said.

"I don't hold any neo-Nazi or national socialist views, nor do I want to be part of any clan activity. I just see myself as patriotic," he said.

Mr O'Neill said he was still trying to get his head around how he ended up where he did. About three years ago, while on his way home from the gym he tried to help a man who was being assaulted by a gang of youths.

Mr O'Neill said he reversed his car to disperse the gang in an attempt separate them from the victim who was bleeding from the head.

During the episode, bricks were thrown at his car - one coming through the window and hitting him in the stomach.

"I was urinating blood for about a week or two weeks after it happened. It caused me quite a severe injury," he said.

"The police told me they were really impressed with the bravery I had shown to help this guy."

Mr O'Neill said he struggled to come to grips with what had happened that day and became vocal to friends about the activities of gangs which were at the time making headline news in Melbourne.

About a year later, he met someone at a party who invited him to the pub where he was introduced to some of the men who were also featured on the 60 Minutes episode.

"I didn't think there was anything sinister in it," he said. "They would voice concerns about things going on in the community but it never seemed more than that," Mr O'Neill said. The Grampians incident on Australia Day this year - where media headlines reported hikers seeing men in neo-Nazi T-shirts - was a wake-up call. "After seeing what was going on it made me realise," he said.

Mr O'Neill said that it went from being concerned about gang violence and trying to create a safe environment for families to something else.

He said he was uncomfortable about attending events after that but was told he had to, although he had already made up his mind he was leaving.

The move to Warrnambool, and taking a big pay cut to work at Midfield Meats, was about getting as far away from Melbourne as possible. "A point did come where I sent a message to a member that I am no longer involved," he said.

He said he always tried to treat everyone the same. "I've never looked down on anyone because of their skin colour. I've always tried my hardest to work with everyone," Mr O'Neill said.

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