Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 6600Assault · Co. Dublin · 11 Dec 2019

Detective garda convicted of assaulting abuse campaigner in Dublin bar

On December 11th, 2019, Robert Hennessy, a male detective garda, assaulted Michael Finnegan, a 40-year-old social care worker and abuse campaigner who was repeatedly punched in the face at Café en Seine on Dawson Street, Dublin. Hennessy denied the charge, which followed a Garda Ombudsman (Gsoc) investigation, but Judge John Hughes convicted him at Dublin District Court in November and held that it was not a case of self-defence. The defence asked for no recorded conviction, and Hennessy instructed his solicitor to extend an apology to Mr Finnegan. The latest development is that sentencing was adjourned pending a probation and restorative justice report, with the case due back on June 4th.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Convicted6 Feb
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Robert Hennessy, a detective garda, was found guilty of assaulting Michael Finnegan.
  • Michael Finnegan, a 40-year-old social care worker and abuse campaigner, was repeatedly punched in the face.
Where
The assault happened in Café en Seine on Dawson Street, Dublin.
When
The assault happened on December 11th, 2019.
Investigation
The prosecution followed a Garda Ombudsman (Gsoc) investigation.
Other details
  • Hennessy was from a unit involved in surveillance work and did not testify at trial.
  • In his statement to Gsoc, Hennessy said he was stressed and feared Mr Finnegan would out him and his colleagues.
  • Hennessy instructed his solicitor to extend an apology to Mr Finnegan.
Charges
Hennessy denied the charge of assault.
In court
  • Judge John Hughes convicted Hennessy at Dublin District Court in November.
  • The judge held that it was not a case of self-defence.
  • The defence asked for no recorded conviction.
Sentence
  • Sentencing was adjourned pending a probation and restorative justice report.
  • The case was adjourned until June 4th.
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatRobert Hennessy was found guilty of assaulting Michael Finnegan. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatMichael Finnegan was repeatedly punched in the face. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe assault happened in Café en Seine on Dawson Street, Dublin. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe assault happened on December 11th, 2019. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe prosecution followed a Garda Ombudsman (Gsoc) investigation. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe detective denied the charge but was convicted by Judge John Hughes at Dublin District Court in November. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe judge held that it was not a case of self-defence. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe case was adjourned until June 4th for the probation report. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceSentencing was adjourned pending a probation and restorative justice report. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe detective instructed his solicitor to extend an apology to the victim. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 6 Feb2024
    Convictedirishtimes.com, first report
    Garda who attacked abuse campaigner ‘taking selfies’ in Café en Seine has apologised, court told

    Reports the conviction in November, the court's comments on self-defence, the defence plea for no recorded conviction, and the adjournment of sentencing to June 4th.

    convicted, Robert Hennessy, male, named, irish (judged from name)Robert Hennessyvictim, Michael Finnegan, 40, male, irish (judged from name)Michael Finnegan