Courts / Dublin / Report
Hennessy gang members jailed over RAT branding attack that 'bypassed any notion of humanity'
Summary
Five men were sentenced at the Central Criminal Court for an alleged assault on Barry Moore, which involved waterboarding, beatings, and branding with the word "RAT." Ms Justice Karen O'Connor described the conduct as shocking, noting it bypassed any notion of humanity. The defendants were originally charged with causing serious harm and false imprisonment, offences carrying potential life sentences. After Mr Moore refused to give evidence, the State accepted guilty pleas to assault causing harm, a maximum ten-year offence. Devon Hennessy (30), who pleaded guilty early and allegedly tried to intervene, received the shortest sentence of three years. Jason Hennessy (29) and Dean Fitzsimons (26) received headline sentences reduced to eight and a half years each due to late pleas. Kenneth Fitzsimons (46) was jailed for eight years. Brandon Hennessy (23) received a six-year sentence to run consecutively to an existing term expiring in February 2028. All sentences, except Brandon Hennessy's, were backdated to February 17, 2025. The judge noted that four defendants entered guilty pleas only after the trial began and when Mr Moore was summoned by warrant, limiting the weight given to their remorse.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Hennessy gang members jailed over RAT branding attack that 'bypassed any notion of humanity'. Charges or matters: falsely imprisoning Mr Moore and to assisting a criminal organisation to inflict serious harm on Mr Moore. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- February 2028 Other
- February 17, 2025 Incident
- February 13, 2025 Incident
- Christmas Eve Incident
- 2026-03-25 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
Accused
Charges: falsely imprisoning Mr Moore and to assisting a criminal organisation to inflict serious harm on Mr Moore (Alleged Or Contested)
Outcome: Brandon Hennessy (23), of Sheephill Avenue, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15 and Kenneth Fitzsimons (46) and his son Dean Fitzsimons (26) of Castlecurragh Vale, Mulhuddart, Dublin were originally charged with various offences, including causing serious harm and false imprisonment of Mr Moore, both of which carry potential life sentences. Ms Justice O'Connor imposed the shortest sentence of three years on Devon Hennessy as, she said, he was the only one of the five who tried to intervene on Mr Moore's behalf.
Accused
Charges: falsely imprisoning Mr Moore and to assisting a criminal organisation to inflict serious harm on Mr Moore (Alleged Or Contested)
Outcome: Dean Fitzsimons (26) of Castlecurragh Vale, Mulhuddart, Dublin were originally charged with various offences, including causing serious harm and false imprisonment of Mr Moore, both of which carry potential life sentences. Ms Justice O'Connor said the offending of Jason Hennessy and Dean Fitzsimons warranted headline sentences at the maximum ten years for the offence.
Defendant
Charges: falsely imprisoning Mr Moore and to assisting a criminal organisation to inflict serious harm on Mr Moore (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Ms Justice O'Connor imposed the shortest sentence of three years on Devon Hennessy as, she said, he was the only one of the five who tried to intervene on Mr Moore's behalf. Ms Justice O'Connor said the offending of Jason Hennessy and Dean Fitzsimons warranted headline sentences at the maximum ten years for the offence.
Defendant
Charges: falsely imprisoning Mr Moore and to assisting a criminal organisation to inflict serious harm on Mr Moore (Alleged Or Contested)
Outcome: Brothers Jason Hennessy (29) and Brandon Hennessy (23), of Sheephill Avenue, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15 and Kenneth Fitzsimons (46) and his son Dean Fitzsimons (26) of Castlecurragh Vale, Mulhuddart, Dublin were originally charged with various offences, including causing serious harm and false imprisonment of Mr Moore, both of which carry potential life sentences. Ms Justice O'Connor imposed the shortest sentence of three years on Devon Hennessy as, she said, he was the only one of the five who tried to intervene on Mr Moore's behalf.
Accused
Charges: falsely imprisoning Mr Moore and to assisting a criminal organisation to inflict serious harm on Mr Moore (Alleged Or Contested)
Outcome: Kenneth Fitzsimons (46) and his son Dean Fitzsimons (26) of Castlecurragh Vale, Mulhuddart, Dublin were originally charged with various offences, including causing serious harm and false imprisonment of Mr Moore, both of which carry potential life sentences. Kenneth Fitzsimons was jailed for eight years.
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