Ireland Case No. 5451Assault · Co. Dublin · 11 Dec 2019
Garda detective given conditional discharge for assault on man in Dublin bar
Robert Hennessy, a garda detective, was involved in an assault on Michael Finnegan, a 40-year-old social care worker and abuse campaigner, at Cafe en Seine on Dawson Street, Dublin, on 11 December 2019. Finnegan was repeatedly punched in the face while taking pictures of Hennessy and colleagues in the bar. Hennessy denied the charge, but Judge John Hughes convicted him at Dublin District Court in November. Reports from 17 July 2024 say the judge imposed a conditional discharge, requiring Hennessy to pay Finnegan €5,000 by 1 October, avoid reoffending for three years and have no contact with Finnegan, with no jail term or criminal record.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced17 Jul
2 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Robert Hennessy, a garda detective, was found guilty of assaulting Michael Finnegan, a 40-year-old social care worker and abuse campaigner.
- Mr Finnegan was repeatedly punched in the face, and he alleged he was punched several times.
- Where
- The assault took place at Cafe en Seine on Dawson Street, Dublin.
- When
- The assault took place on 11 December 2019.
- Cause
- Hennessy told the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission he feared Mr Finnegan would out him and his colleagues, after Mr Finnegan took pictures of them in the bar.
- Other details
- The judge said the attack was unprovoked, that there was no justification for it, and that it was not self-defence.
- CCTV footage of the assault was played in court.
- Hennessy provided a written apology to the victim.
- Investigation
- The case followed an investigation by the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC).
- Charges
- Hennessy denied the charge.
- In court
- Judge John Hughes convicted Hennessy at Dublin District Court in November after he had denied the charge.
- Sentence
- Judge John Hughes imposed a conditional discharge, so Hennessy avoids jail and a criminal record.
- Hennessy must pay Mr Finnegan €5,000 by 1 October, must not reoffend for three years and must have no contact with Mr Finnegan.
- Hennessy must attend Probation Service appointments every six months over the next three years and any courses the service considers appropriate.
27 statements extracted from the articles
- whatRobert Hennessy was found guilty of assaulting Michael Finnegan. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- whatMr Finnegan was repeatedly punched in the face. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe judge said the attack was unprovoked and there was no justification for it. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe attack happened at Cafe en Seine on Dawson Street, Dublin. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe assault took place in Cafe en Seine on Dawson Street, Dublin. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe assault took place on 11 December 2019. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe assault happened on 11 December 2019. (irishtimes.com)
- causeThe garda said he was stressed and feared Mr Finnegan would out him and his colleagues. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe case was prosecuted following a Gsoc investigation. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe case followed a Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission investigation. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeThe detective denied the charge. (irishtimes.com)
- courtHennessy was convicted at Dublin District Court in November after denying the charge. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe detective was convicted by Judge John Hughes at Dublin District Court in November. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceJudge John Hughes imposed a conditional discharge. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- sentenceHennessy must pay €5,000 to Mr Finnegan by October 1. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceHennessy must not reoffend for three years and must have no contact with Mr Finnegan. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceHennessy must attend Probation Service appointments every six months. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceThe detective must pay Mr Finnegan €5,000 by October 1st. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe detective must not reoffend in the next three years and must have no contact with the victim. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe detective must attend Probation Service appointments every six months for three years. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe detective avoids jail and a criminal record. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe judge said there was no justification for the attack and that it was unprovoked. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherIn a statement to Gsoc, Hennessy claimed he feared Mr Finnegan would out him and his colleagues. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe judge said it was not a case of self-defence. (irishtimes.com)
- otherMr Finnegan alleged he was punched several times. (irishtimes.com)
- otherCCTV footage of the assault was played in court. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe detective provided a written apology to the victim. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 17 Jul2024Garda who attacked man taking pictures of him in Dublin bar spared jail sentence
Reports the Dublin District Court conviction and sentence (conditional discharge with conditions) for a December 2019 assault by a garda. It matches none of the existing cases.
convicted, Robert Hennessy, male, named, irish (judged from name)Robert Hennessyvictim, Michael Finnegan, 40, male, irish (judged from name)Michael Finnegan - 17 Jul2024Garda spared jail for attacking man taking pictures of him and colleagues in bar
Sentencing of a garda detective convicted of the December 2019 assault; the court imposed a conditional discharge, so no recorded conviction.
victim, Michael Finnegan, 40, male, irish (judged from name)Michael Finneganconvicted, Robert Hennessy, named, irish (judged from name)Robert Hennessy