Garda concerns over retaliation at Blanchardstown feud funerals

Concerns have heightened following the death of Jason Hennessy, who was shot in the attack

Jason Hennessy Snr and Jason Hennesy Jnr from Blanchardstown. Jason Hennessy Snr died today from injuries sustained on Christmas Eve. Picture: IrishPhotoDesk.ie

Garda officers have major security concerns around the funerals of two men who were killed as a result of a reckless gun attack on a restaurant in west Dublin on Christmas Eve.

It follows the death of a second man, Jason Hennessy senior, who was shot by gunman Tristan Sherry as he sat having a meal with family and friends at Browne's Steakhouse restaurant in Blanchardstown village at 8pm.

Sherry, aged 26, was overpowered in the busy pub and was fatally stabbed.

A second accomplice also took part in the gun attack, though he managed to flee. 

So far, two men have been charged in relation to Sherry's death.

Associates of Mr Hennessy have been actively looking for him since.

Officers and local communities in Finglas and Blanchardstown are bracing themselves for retaliation in what is being linked to a feud between “volatile” gangs in the two areas.

Mr Hennessy, aged 48, was shot in the neck in the attack and was in a serious condition in Connolly Hospital. 

Although it was initially thought he might survive, his condition deteriorated and he was moved to the Mater Hospital, where he died today.

A post-mortem examination on Mr Hennessy's body will be carried out by the State Pathologist in the coming days. 

The father, from Sheephill Avenue, Corduff, Blanchardstown, leaves behind his wife and four grown up children — three boys and a girl, ranging in age from their late teens to late 20s.

Mr Hennessy was known to gardaí and was due to go on trial next year on money laundering charges. While his involvement in the feud between a Corduff gang and a rival one in Finglas is unclear, gardaí suspect associates of his are.

Gardaí suspect he may not have been the intended target, or, at least, the main target, in the gun attack.

High alert 

Armed Support Units have been operating on a heightened level in the Corduff and Finglas areas since the shooting, with extra patrols funded by overtime.

They are in addition to local patrols from Blanchardstown and Finglas garda stations.

Gardaí are still trying to locate the gun — thought to be a machine pistol — that Mr Sherry used in the attack, with concerns as to what purpose it might be used.

Gardaí have particular concerns regarding the policing of the two funerals, with Mr Sherry’s first, then Mr Hennessy’s. Policing plans will be put in place.

Local sources expect retaliation may happen after Mr Hennessy’s funeral, but some sources said the “volatility” of gang members made predictions difficult.

“The pubs after the funerals will be what gardaí will need to watch,” said one local source. “You’ll have guys drinking, getting coked up [taking cocaine] and tooled up [armed] and doing something stupid.”

Meanwhile, a man has been charged with murder in relation to the death of Tristan Sherry. 

Michael Andrecut, 22, with an address in Sheephill Avenue, Corduff, was charged with murder during a special sitting of the Criminal Courts of Justice on Saturday.

A second man, arrested earlier this week, has been charged and is due to appear before a sitting of Blanchardstown District Court on Friday morning.

A third man was arrested today. He is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984, at a Garda station in West Dublin.

Gardaí continue to appeal for any witnesses to the incident or for anybody with video footage to contact Blanchardstown Garda Station on 01 666 7000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.