Courts / Dublin / Report
Inmate with 331 priors threatened to 'blow prison officer's head off'
Summary
Anthony Dennis, 39, of Ballyfermot, was sentenced to an additional year and nine months in prison for threatening to kill a prison officer at Cloverhill Prison on 29 September 2020. The judge described the conduct as part of a "pattern of intimidation" that included several incidents. Dennis, who has 331 prior convictions—almost 200 for traffic offences—has spent half his life in custody. The first threat occurred while he was smoking on the prison landing, after which he ignored officers' requests to return to his cell. He later called the officer a "tramp" and a "scumbag" and threatened to "blow his head off" after being placed in a close‑supervision cell. The court noted that Dennis had been remanded since 12 January and that he has three prior assault convictions but no prior convictions for threats to kill. The sentence was back‑dated to 12 January. Anthony Dennis pleaded guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Inmate with 331 priors threatened to 'blow prison officer's head off'. Charges or matters: threatening to kill or cause serious harm to an officer at Cloverhill Prison on September 29, 2020 as part of what the judge called "a pattern of intimidation". Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- September 29, 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
- January 12 Adjournment
- 2024-01-24 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: threatening to kill or cause serious harm to an officer at Cloverhill Prison on September 29, 2020 as part of what the judge called "a pattern of intimidation" (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Counsel said Dennis has linked in with Fr Peter McVerry Trust while in custody and hopes to avail of residential treatment in the future. "He has his problems, but they are mostly of his own making," said Judge Nolan, backdating the sentence to January 12, when Dennis went into custody.
Places mentioned
- Lally Road
- Cloverhill Prison
- The prison
- Three prison
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Topics
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