Devon Hennessey sentencing adjourned for violent disorder

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Devon Hennessey pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to violent disorder. The proceedings were reported on 10 March 2020.

Judge Melanie Greally adjourned sentencing to 5 May 2020 and ordered a Probation Service report to assess his suitability for community service.

Garda Richard Finan said he saw Hennessey approach a man outside Blanchardstown District Court and punch him in the face without warning or provocation. He said Hennessey resisted restraint and tried to return to the man. Garda Finan agreed that 15 to 20 gardaí were needed to calm the increasingly volatile situation.

Oisin Clarke BL, defending, said Hennessey claimed the man had made a vile comment about his son that sparked the incident. Garda Finan agreed that Hennessey had initially mentioned a comment about his son, but said he gave no further detail when given the opportunity during a Garda interview. Mr Clarke said Hennessey reacted in the heat of the moment and accepted that his behaviour led to the overall incident.

This report covers an earlier stage of the case. Later developments are not reported here.