NOW IT’S WAR

Gang war eruption fears as associates ‘out for blood’ to ‘new level’ after Christmas Eve steakhouse shooting victim dies

Jason Hennessy Snr, 48, lost his 11-day battle for life in the intensive care unit of the Mater Hospital in Dublin

• Published: 7:00, 5 Jan 2024

GARDAI have launched a second murder investigation after a gangster shot in the neck in a Christmas Eve steakhouse bloodbath died in hospital.

Jason Hennessy Snr, 48, lost his 11-day battle for life in the intensive care unit of the Mater Hospital in Dublin.

Gardai are now bracing for an eruption of violence with his associates “out for blood”.

Although Hennessy was initially stable after being shot three times, including to the neck, his condition deteriorated in recent days and he was transferred from Blanchardstown’s Connolly Hospital.

Hennessy was out with his son and others at Browne’s Steakhouse in Blanchardstown Village on December 24.

Sources say that he had gone to the restaurant every Christmas in recent years.

But the night out turned into horror when gunman Tristan Sherry stormed the restaurant with a machine pistol and opened fire.

Hennessy Snr was hit and as his son tended to him, others overpowered and disarmed Sherry, who died from injuries sustained at the scene. The first murder investigation is into Sherry’s death.

Hennessy, understood to be originally from the Finglas area, used to work as a delivery driver and was into boxing. One source said: “He thought he was a hard man but he was just a bully. He spent more time on the canvas because others were better than him.”

He lived in Sheephill Avenue in Corduff, and was known to gardai.

Sources say he helped his associates in a gang in west Dublin.

He was previously convicted for hurling abuse at gardai in August 2021.

On that occasion Hennessy had returned home to find his house being searched by gardai.

He called them a “bunch of wankers” and told them to “go f*** yourselves”, before being told he would be arrested if he didn’t leave the area to which he replied, “Arrest me, I don’t give a f**k”.

Gardai are now working to curb any further violence.

‘Out for blood’

But a source said: “They’re out for blood. Tensions were already high over the shooting, but with Hennessy dead now, it’ll notch it up to new levels.

Today a garda spokesperson said: “At approximately 8pm on Sunday 24th December 2023, two gunmen entered a premises on Main Street in Blanchardstown and a number of shots were fired.

“The male in his 40s who was receiving treatment for gunshot wounds following this serious incident has been pronounced deceased at the Mater Hospital in Dublin.

“An Garda Siochana have now commenced a second murder investigation as part of their wider investigation into this incident, which is being conducted at an incident room in Blanchardstown Garda station.

“One of the gunmen, a man in his 20s, was subsequently assaulted and later pronounced deceased at the scene. A murder investigation into that incident is in progress. Garda Family Liaison Officers continue to liaise with both families regarding this investigation and local Gardai continue to receive assistance from the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

“A post-mortem examination will be conducted in the coming days on the body of the deceased male by the State Pathologist.”

Appeal

Gardai continue to appeal for any witnesses to the incidents or for persons with information or video footage to contact Blanchardstown Garda Station on 01 666 7000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.

The Irish Sun can also reveal that Sherry’s cowardly accomplice recklessly fired a number shots as innocent bystanders ran for their lives in the packed restaurant.

Investigators are continuing to make progress in the probe into the bloody horror which unfolded at Browne’s Steakhouse on Christmas Eve.

Detectives made a third arrest in relation to the alleged murder of gunman Sherry on Wednesday evening of a man in his 20s.

The suspect is known to investigators in west Dublin for criminal activity, including burglaries.

His arrest came after an 18-year-old was lifted earlier that day. He has since been charged and is to appear before a sitting of Blanchardstown District Court, this morning at 10:30am.

Both of them were having a meal at the time of the gun attack.

Sherry’s accomplice on the night remains at large. Sherry was the lead gunman but when he was allegedly attacked, the second man sought to flee.

Panicked shots

The Irish Sun can reveal how he panicked and fired a number of shots down the restaurant from over 30 yards away.

A source said: “The second gunman could have killed anyone with his actions on the night.

“He discharged a number of shots from a distance.

“There were mothers and fathers running with their children because of the chaos and any of them could have been hit and killed.

“It was crazy stuff, but it fits into the whole mess the two of them were behind in the first place.”

Although officers have carried out a number of searches for Sherry’s gun, which went missing from the scene, it has yet to be located.

Following the arrests on Wednesday evening, a garda spokesman said: “Gardaí have charged the second man arrested as part of an ongoing investigation into a fatal assault that occurred at a premises on Main Street, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15 on Sunday, 24th December 2023.

“A third individual arrested in connection with the investigation remains in Garda custody at a station in west Dublin.”

Last Saturday, a 22-year-old man appeared at Dublin District Court where he was charged with the murder of Sherry at Browne’s Steakhouse on Christmas Eve.

The accused, of Sheephill Avenue in Corduff, was remanded in custody.