Eoin Reynolds The Special Criminal Court

2025-07-23 · Dublin

'Branding stamp' among weapons alleged to have been produced during Dublin false imprisonment

The Special Criminal Court will hear the trials of five men charged with false imprisonment, assault and the production of weapons used in the assault of a man in Dublin on 12 February 2025. The accused are Jason Hennessy Jr (28), Brandon Hennessy (22) and Devon Hennessy (29) from Blanchardstown, and Kenneth Fitzsimons (45) and his 26‑year‑old son Dean Fitzsimons from Mulhuddart. All five are charged with assaulting the victim to aid a criminal organisation, causing serious harm, and false imprisonment. Jason Hennessy Jr is additionally charged with threatening property damage and producing a branding stamp to intimidate. Brandon Hennessy is charged with producing a steel breaker bar. Devon Hennessy is charged with producing a metal branding stamp. Dean Fitzsimons is charged with threatening to kill or cause serious harm, producing a metal branding stamp and a steel breaker bar. Kenneth Fitzsimons is charged with producing a steel breaker bar and an axe.

2021-11-11 · Dublin

Public to be excluded from non-jury court as covert gardai give evidence

The Special Criminal Court has ordered that the public be excluded from an attempted murder trial while evidence is heard from members of the National Surveillance Unit (NSU), a covert unit that targets terrorists and organised crime gangs. Justice Tara Burns granted the order after Detective Superintendent Ciaran Hoey explained that revealing the identities of NSU officers would endanger their lives, compromise ongoing investigations, and jeopardise future covert operations. The court will allow media members to attend, but the names, physical characteristics or any identifying details of the NSU officers will not be published. The NSU officers will give evidence in the trial of 42‑year‑old Alan Wilson, who has pleaded not guilty to attempted murders and possession of firearms and ammunition. The trial will resume on Monday, 15 November.