Dublin Gang's Violent Reign Ends as Smirking Criminals Face Justice
A notorious Dublin gangster and his associates, who smirked through their trial and hurled vile insults at the judge, have been handed substantial prison sentences for a horrific assault that involved branding a victim with a hot iron. Jason Hennessy Jr, 29, led a family-based crime group that terrorised the Corduff area, with their brutal attack on associate Barry Moore highlighting a dark history of community violence.
The Brutal Assault That Shocked Dublin
Jason Hennessy Jr was found guilty alongside four fellow gang members of beating, burning, stabbing, and branding Barry Moore with the word "RAT" on his face using a heated branding iron. The paranoid group became convinced Moore was an informant before carrying out the shocking attack on February 12 at a house on Sheephill Avenue in Blanchardstown.
The victim described the excruciating pain of being branded, stating: "I was screaming, I never felt such pain before. I was pleading for mercy." Moore testified that Hennessy initially smashed his phone before punching him in the jaw, with Devon Hennessy then joining in to punch him repeatedly in the head.
Courtroom Disrespect and Gang History
Throughout the trial, the gang members displayed blatant disrespect for the judicial process. Dean Fitzsimons called Judge Paula Murphy a "sl*t" while in court, and Jason Hennessy interrupted a prosecuting Garda with an expletive-laden rant about truck ownership. The group were photographed smirking as they were escorted to court, demonstrating their contempt for authority.
The court heard how the Hennessy family ran a violent gang that had been terrorising the Corduff area and was involved in multiple feuds. Jason Hennessy Jr had previously appeared on the Virgin Media documentary "Inside the K," which covered gardaí activities in Corduff, and had a long history of violent incidents.
Previous Violent Incidents and Social Media Bragging
Hennessy's criminal history includes a 2018 suspended sentence for violent disorder after he launched an attack on Dublin's D'Olier Street in May 2015. During that incident, he retrieved a hammer from his car and attacked Dylan Campbell, inflicting injuries to finger tendons and a 4cm head wound that required stitches.
The court was told the Hennessy gang were known to make light of their criminal activities on social media, demonstrating a pattern of brazen behaviour that extended beyond their physical violence.
Substantial Prison Sentences Handed Down
Judge Paula Murphy handed down sentences ranging from three to eight-and-a-half years for the five gang members involved in the assault. Jason Hennessy Jr received the longest sentence of eight and a half years for his leading role in the attack, which was committed while he was on bail.
His sentence will run consecutively to one he is already serving, which concludes on February 16, 2028. Brandon Hennessy received six years in prison, while Devon Hennessy got three years after pleading guilty at an early stage and attempting to intervene in the assault.
Dean Fitzsimons, who insulted the judge during proceedings, received eight and a half years, with his father Kenneth Fitzsimons sentenced to eight years in prison. The substantial sentences mark the end of the gang's violent reign and send a strong message about the consequences of such brutal criminal behaviour.
