Courts / Dublin / Report

'I'm not giving any evidence ever': man who claims he was branded with RAT stamp and threatened with rape during false imprisonment ordeal refuses to testify

Date
2025-12-05

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Blanchardstown

County
Dublin

Summary

The Special Criminal Court heard the opening of a trial for four men accused of assaulting Barry Moore in February 2025. The State alleges that Jason Hennessy Jr, Brandon Hennessy, Kenneth Fitzsimons, and Dean Fitzsimons assaulted Mr Moore in a shed in Blanchardstown, allegedly branding him with a heated 'RAT' stamp and using a breaker bar and axe. All four accused pleaded not guilty to charges including false imprisonment, causing serious harm, and participating in criminal organisation activity. Jason Hennessy Jr is further charged with threatening property damage and producing a branding stamp; Brandon Hennessy is charged with producing a steel breaker bar; Dean Fitzsimons is charged with threatening to kill or cause serious harm and producing a branding stamp and breaker bar; and Kenneth Fitzsimons is charged with producing a breaker bar and axe. Devon Hennessy, who is not part of this trial, previously pleaded guilty to falsely imprisoning and assaulting Mr Moore to enhance criminal gang activities. Mr Moore, who was brought to court by prison officers, refused to testify, stating he would not give evidence. The prosecution applied to admit his statements to gardai into evidence, with arguments scheduled for Saturday. The matter was adjourned.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'I'm not giving any evidence ever': man who claims he was branded with RAT stamp and threatened with rape during false imprisonment ordeal refuses to testify. Charges or matters: producing a "steel breaker bar" in a manner likely to intimidate another person while committing or appearing to be about to commit an assault; making a threat to kill or cause serious harm to the alleged victim and producing a metal branding stamp and a steel breaker bar; producing a steel breaker bar and an axe during the course of a dispute or fight; all charges this morning; falsely imprisoning and assaulting Mr Moore for the purpose of enhancing the activities of a criminal gang. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

February 13 Incident
February 12 Other
February 12, 2025 Incident
2025-12-05 Publication

Why: He said Brandon told him: "I told you on purpose because I knew you would go back and tell the lads. CNI source report

Case subjects

Brandon Hennessy

Accused

Charges: producing a "steel breaker bar" in a manner likely to intimidate another person while committing or appearing to be about to commit an assault; making a threat to kill or cause serious harm to the alleged victim and producing a metal branding stamp and a steel breaker bar; producing a steel breaker bar and an axe during the course of a dispute or fight; all charges this morning (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Dean Fitzsimons

Accused

Plea: Not guilty

Devon Hennessy

Defendant

Charges: falsely imprisoning and assaulting Mr Moore for the purpose of enhancing the activities of a criminal gang (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Jason Hennessy Jr

Defendant

Kenneth Fitzsimons

Accused