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Monster who killed mum and set home on fire with kids inside 'is pals' with child killer

Brian Hennessy has reportedly struck up a friendship with a child killer behind bars nearly 18 years ago after he raped and murdered a mum and killed her daughters in Kilkenny

[Brian Hennessy]

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Brian Hennessy is serving a life sentence (Image: Collins)

A beast who murdered a mum and her two daughters on Christmas Day almost 18 years ago has reportedly linked up with another notorious child killer in prison.

Brian Hennessy is serving a life sentence inside Arbour Hill Prison in Dublin where he is said to work in the prison tuck shop.

This is according to The Irish Sun and a source told them that Sanjeev Chada, who murdered his sons Eoghan, 10, and Ruair, five, recently joined Hennessy in the role.

The source said: They appear to be getting on well and spend their time in the tuck shop counting stock and engaging with other inmates.The job in the tuck shop is a trusted position and involves Chada going to another area of the prison.

Chada is waiting to hear back from the Parole Board on whether he will be granted temporary release just 13 years after he killed his own children after embezzling 56,000 from a local community group.

[Sanjeev, Eoghan and Ruairi Chada]

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Sanjeev murdered his sons Eoghan and Ruair

It is unlikely that he will be granted his freedom on this occasion and as such he will likely be spending more time with the likes of Hennessy going forward.

Brian Hennessy

Hennessy was a 23-year-old postman when he set his sights on Sharon Whelan at her home in Windgap, Kilkenny.

Despite only having a passing acquaintance with Sharon, he broke into her isolated home on Christmas Day 2008, before raping and strangling her.

Shockingly, he then waited between four and five hours, before setting fire to the property, despite knowing that Sharons two daughters, Zarah, seven, and Nadia, two, were inside.

The monster, who is from the area, had entered Sharons home in the early hours after chillingly telling his pals he was going off looking for sex.

[Sharon Whelan ]

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Sharon Whelan was lively, fun and loved being around family

While Sharon was strangled to death, the fire later killed the two little girls, as Hennessy fled from the horror scene.

Speaking earlier this year, Sharons brother, John Whelan, told the Parole Board: It was the beginning of a lifelong trauma that continues to shape every part of our lives.

The brutality of what happened to them is something we carry every day.

It affects our sleep, our mental health, our relationships, and our ability to feel safe in the world. There is no part of our lives untouched by what was done.

On January 15, 2009, Hennessy was arrested after his DNA profile was found on Sharons body.

He initially denied the triple killing before he agreed with officers in his fifth interview that he used her for his gratification whether she wanted it or not.

[Zarah Whelan, seven, (left) and Nadia Whelan, two, during a visit to meet Santa ]

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Zarah Whelan, seven, (left) and Nadia Whelan, two, during a visit to meet Santa (Image: Family handout/PA Wire)

Hennessy added: I just strangled her with my two hands around her neck. I killed her in the living room.

The killer went on: I sat on the bed. I didnt know what to do. I saw the kids. It made me more sad that Id taken their mother away on Christmas.

He pleaded guilty to all three murders before being sentenced to life in prison at the Central Criminal Court in November 2009.

That means Hennessy has been behind bars for 17 years and the average life sentence inmates serve in Ireland is about 20 years before being freed.

However, if no remorse is shown or they fail to explore the services or courses available from jail, this can be much longer.

Criminals serving life sentences can apply for parole after just 12 years before reapplying every two years if they are unsuccessful.

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