Father-of-two claims gardaí ‘made a laugh of him’ when his home was searched

Jason Hennessy Snr (46) claimed gardaí “made a laugh out of him” after he asked to see the search warrant and was sent back and forward asking different gardaí for it.

Judge David McHugh fined dad-of-five Hennessy €150.

Hennessy’s sons are well-known Dublin brothers, Jason Jnr and Devon Hennessy.

The defendant was found guilty of a breach of the peace and failing to follow garda directions last August 5.

Garda Ciaran Brennan told Blanchardstown District Court he was standing outside the defendant’s home at Sheephill Avenue in Blanchardstown when he came along.

Gda Brennan said he told Hennessy the house was being searched by gardaí and he was not allowed to enter.

He said Hennessy tried to climb a wall into the property, and was immediately abusive, calling gardaí “you bunch of wankers”.

The garda directed Hennessy to leave the area, but he repeatedly told him “go f**k yourselves”.

When told he would be arrested if he did not leave the area, Hennessy said “arrest me, I don’t give a f**k”.

Cross examined by Ciaran MacLoughlin, Gda Brennan denied Hennessy asked him to see a copy of the search warrant.

He also denied he told him that gardaí at the side of the house had the warrant.

In his evidence, Hennessy claimed he asked Gda Brennan to see the warrant, but was directed to the side of the house to speak to gardaí there.

Those officers sent him back to Gda Brennan, he said.

“He made a laugh out of me,” Hennessy claimed of Gda Brennan, adding he was entitled to see the warrant.

Finding him guilty, Judge McHugh said he was satisfied the defendant’s behaviour was a “complete over-reaction”.

Mr MacLoughlin asked the judge to be lenient.