GARDA’S RING OF STEEL
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GARDAI are to place a ring of steel around the midweek funeral of gangland victim Jason Hennessy Snr as fears of further violence escalate.
It’s understood preparations were being made last night for the final farewell to the 48-year-old set to take place in West Dublin on Wednesday.
The funeral will take place before that of his killer, gunman Tristan Sherry, whose body has yet to be handed over to his family.
It is understood that hitman Sherry was knifed over 30 times and shot in the head after he barged his way into the popular Browne’s Steakhouse in Blanchardstown on Christmas Eve and shot Hennessy in the neck.
Hennessy died in hospital last week – sparking concerns an already tense situation could get worse.
Sources say gardai are set to launch a massive security operation around the funeral, set to take place in his native Corduff.
WAR
It comes as close relatives and friends paid tribute to Hennessy on social media with one claiming he “protected the whole family” on the night he was shot.
One wrote: “Where do I even start. The best man on this world you were.
“You are our world and always will be. The most kind-hearted man. I’ll cherish our memories are for life you were so loved by everyone. Even the community hard working man you were the best husband, dad granda and also the best father in law.
“Treated me like your daughter and I’ll never forget that you idolised your grandchildren and I’ll forever tell them about you and how you protected the whole family that night.
“You are our hero and always will be our hero.”
Meanwhile it is expected that the body of Sherry, which was badly mutilated in the incident on Christmas Eve, will be released back to his family in the coming days. Sources say gardai will mount an equally tight security operation around his funeral as fears of retaliation escalate.
Sources say there are real fears all-out gangland war could erupt in West Dublin, with close associates of Hennessy Sr out for blood.
It comes as gardai still hope to arrest a second man suspected of entering Browne’s alongside Sherry.
There are fears that associates of Hennessy may catch up with this individual before gardai.
It comes as this paper has established that associates of Hennessy have been involved in a bitter dispute with Sherry for some time – which
You are our hero and always will be our hero
ONLINE POST IN TRIBUTE TO HENNESSY
escalated before Christmas. Sources say Sherry had once been a part of Hennessy Sr’s crew but they had a falling out in recent times.
Sherry is believed to have previously fired shots at a close associate of Hennessy Sr.
He is then understood to have been the victim himself of a brutal stabbing incident just months ago – with Hennessy’s associates being blamed.
It is this incident, along with a war of words, that gardai suspect may have led to the shooting at Browne’s.
Sources say Sherry later sided with the Finglas mobster known as “Mr Flashy” – who has been feuding with associates of Hennessy.
However, it is understood Sherry had later fallen out with Mr Flashy.