Gardaí monitor Tristan Sherry-linked gangster (30) goading Jason Hennessy Snr associates online ahead of funeral

Today at 02:30

Gardaí are closely monitoring the ­activities of a 30-year-old criminal who was closely aligned with gunman Tristan Sherry ahead of the funeral of steakhouse shooting victim Jason Hennessy Sr this Saturday.

The gangster from Dublin 15 has been goading associates of Hennessy on social media as well as proclaiming his loyalty to Sherry, who was killed after running into a Blanchardstown restaurant with a sub-machine gun on Christmas Eve before opening fire.

The criminal under close surveillance has served a lengthy jail sentence in relation to the death of a man and has been involved in gangland feuding in west Dublin for over a decade.

“This individual is capable of extreme violence, is reckless in nature and he is being monitored at this time,” a source said. “His comments on social media are inflaming what is already a very tense situation.”

The gangster cannot be named for legal reasons but has previously been involved in assassination attempts and extreme violence.

He was previously suspected of money laundering for associates of the Kinahan cartel.

The development comes after ­gardaí made their sixth arrest yesterday as part of their massive investigation – a teenager who is suspected of being involved in the fatal assault on Sherry. Four people have already been charged in connection with his death.

The funeral of Sherry passed off without incident on Tuesday morning and was attended by around 50 people in Finglas.

Officers maintained a ring of steel around the church and its environs, with the Garda Armed Support Unit spotted circling the area throughout the day.

Among the mourners were a Co Meath-based female who is a very close associate of suspected Cabra drug ­dealer Christopher ‘Git’ Waldron.

Waldron lost his home in November to the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB), bringing an end to a three-year legal battle.

Also spotted was the Finglas-based father of the chief suspect in the murder of Brandon Ledwidge in November – the first gangland murder of last year.

Another man spotted going into the church is a former member of the ­Westies crime organisation and is suspected of still being involved in organised crime in west Dublin.

His brother has been charged with a very serious offence in recent weeks.

Gardaí are expected to have a similar garda operation in place for the funeral of Jason Hennessy Sr.

The funeral will take place on Saturday morning at St Patrick’s Catholic Church, Corduff, at 11am followed by cremation at Glasnevin.

A wake is expected to take place in the family home in Corduff from tomorrow.

In Mr Hennessy’s death notice on RIP.ie, it states that the death has ­occurred of the late Jason (Jay) (Senior) Hennessy, “suddenly, surrounded by his loving family and friends”.

It adds: “Sadly missed by his beloved wife Veronica, loving children, loving mother and father, grandchildren, daughter-in-law, sons-in-law, loving sisters, extended family and large circle of friends.”