ALL EYES ON FUNERAL OF STEAKHOUSE SHOOTER
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A PERSON of interest over the shooting of Jason Hennessy Snr was spotted watching the funeral of the victim’s killer – the slain hitman Tristan Sherry, it has emerged.
The young criminal, who was once considered to be an associate of the Dublin gang boss known as ‘Mr Flashy’, was seen close to a large crowd of mourners at the funeral yesterday of gunman Sherry.
Sherry, 26, was laid to rest over three weeks after he was killed inside Browne’s Steakhouse in Blanchardstown, west Dublin, after barging his way into the restaurant and opening fire on Jason Hennessy Snr.
Sherry was tackled to the ground and killed in the horror incident which later also claimed the life of Hennessy Snr, 48, who died in hospital two weeks ago.
Now sources say a young thug who is well known to gardai and previously the victim of a shooting himself was spotted watching Sherry’s highly monitored funeral at St Canice’s Church in Finglas yesterday morning.
Officers are still probing the identity of a suspected second shooter in the horror incident – as well as the potential involvement of others.
Sources say the young thug was once heavily connected to ‘Mr Flashy,’ but in recent times is believed to have gone his own way.
Meanwhile, gardai kept a visible presence at the funeral of Sherry which went off without incident.
Officers maintained a ring of steel around the church and its environs – with the Garda Armed Support Unit (ASU) spotted circling the area throughout the day.
Uniformed officers were also seen patrolling the area while several marked garda vehicles were also seen keeping an eye on the church.
The massive security operation comes amid fears of further violence in a bitter dispute that escalated with the deaths of Sherry and Hennessy.
The funeral itself took place behind closed doors after mourners were seen carrying Sherry’s coffin from Massey Bros Funeral Home across the road to the Finglas church.
In a eulogy on behalf of the family, a pal yesterday told mourners about Sherry’s love of bikes and cars – calling him a “proper rallier”.
“Where do I start? You were more than a friend to me, you were family. We stood beside each other through everything, right or wrong no matter what,” the pal said.
He went on to describe Sherry, who had the nickname ‘Big T’, as someone who “tried to help everyone” and was “good craic”.
“Two or four wheels, you were a proper rallier T. There is not a car in our driveway we didn’t rally,” he said.
“You were a big chap with an even bigger heart. The only good thing to come from this is that you’re back with your nanny and dad.”
Floral tributes that read “Tristo,” “Homie,” and “Daddy” were also seen being carried into the church along with Sherry’s coffin. A floral toy car was also seen as well as a floral Grey Goose bottle of vodka.
Mr Sherry’s remains were then brought to Glasnevin Cemetery where he was expected to be cremated.
The funeral comes as this paper revealed that an innocent woman who was known to deceased criminal Sherry has been subjected to a
severe threat.
It is also understood a threat was made to damage a property linked to the woman, who has no involvement in crime.
Meanwhile, Hennessy Snr’s funeral details have also now been announced.
A notice posted to RIP.IE yesterday said that Hennessy Snr died “suddenly surrounded by his loving family and friends”.
The notice said he was “sadly missed by his beloved wife Veronica loving children, loving mother & father, grandchildren, daughter in law, sons in law, loving sisters, extended family & large circle of friends”.
His funeral is set to take place at Saint Patrick’s Church, Corduff, for 11am on Saturday, following to Glasnevin for crematorium.
Hennessy Snr will be reposing tomorrow at the family home, according to the notice.
Gardai are also set to launch a ring of steel around his funeral following the major operation yesterday for Sherry.
Sherry died over three weeks ago but his funeral is believed to have
been delayed until now due to a request for an independent post-mortem probe.
Hennessy Snr, who was known to gardai and was facing a money laundering trial next year, was shot in the neck by Sherry – who was then tackled to the ground and ultimately killed.
Now sources say gardai are hunting for a suspected second gunman who fled the scene in Browne’s Steakhouse.
There are concerns that associates of Hennessy Snr may try to identify and target this individual before gardai catch up with him.
Gardai are also understood to be searching for a semi-automatic weapon that was taken from Sherry and used to shoot him in the head.
Last week, an 18-year-old was arrested on suspicion of taking that weapon from the restaurant and helping to conceal it from gardai.
It comes as this paper previously reported that associates of Hennessy have been involved in a bitter dispute with Tristan Sherry for some time – and that it massively escalated before Christmas.