GARDA FEAR FOR FUNERAL POWDERKEG
» Tight security at farewells for victims » Patrols increased around West Dublin » Three men face charges on killing
GARDAI are set to mount a massive security operation ahead of the funeral of murdered gangster Jason Hennessy Snr who was shot on Christmas Eve.
It is feared associates of the murdered gang member will seek revenge ahead of his funeral and that of his killer Tristan Sherry who was overpowered and fatally stabbed seconds after the shooting.
Already the situation in West Dublin where the Corduff feud has raged for more than six years has been described by one detective as a “powderkeg”.
Gardai are now drawing up security plans for the funerals of both men which will take place in the coming days.
A source said: “It’s very tense and anything could happen, it’s not an exaggeration to say it’s like a powderkeg.”
Fearing further violence, gardai have stepped up patrols in West Dublin as the funerals of both Hennessy Snr and assassin Tristan Sherry approach.
BUNGLING
The 48-year-old career criminal from Corduff, West Dublin, was blasted by bungling gunman Tristan Sherry, 26, as he ate a meal with family and friends in Browne’s Steakhouse in Blanchardstown on the evening of Christmas Eve.
He had been on a life support machine in Connolly Hospital since shortly after the shooting but died on Thursday and his death is now being treated as murder.
His killer was overpowered before he could make his escape and allegedly stabbed to death.
Sources say Jason Hennessey Snr was facing trial for alleged money laundering in a case due to be heard in February of next year.
He had been a key player in one of the organised crime gangs and was involved in the Corduff feud as well as other serious criminal disputes.
As far back as 2018, detectives singled out Jason Hennessy Snr as being heavily involved in the feud which had resulted in a number of vicious attacks.
Ironically, Tristan Sherry had also been part of the same outfit as Jason Hennessy Snr but they became bitter rivals after a massive falling out. It is understood Sherry had been badly beaten last year and was out for revenge and decided to seek retribution by killing Jason Hennessy in front of his family and friends.
Earlier this week, the Irish Mirror reported that associates of Jason Hennessy Snr had been involved in a bitter dispute with Tristan Sherry for some time, and it escalated out of control in the run-up to Christmas.
The attack on Christmas Eve sent shockwaves through the criminal underworld but detectives believed it was only a matter of time before the bitter Corduff feud resulted in a killing.
In recent years, shots had been fired near a school and on another occasion there had been a gun battle between the rival gangs.
Although the attacks did not result in deaths, gang members on both sides suffered severe beatings and in another incident there was a machete attack at Finglas Garda Station. The two sides were originally part of the one gang controlled by two families but a dispute broke out and Jason Hennessy Snr aligned himself loosely with one gang. It is unclear why Jason Hennessy Snr turned to crime as he had previously had a job in the motor trade and had not come to the attention of gardai.
Sources say he was just an opportunist who took advantage of the situation and saw an opening to make easy money as the turf war raged between the two rival gangs.
While he was heavily involved in drug dealing he also acted as an enforcer and was not afraid to use extreme violence.
When he was younger he was a boxer and he gained the reputation of being a hard man with the threat of a call from him often enough to force those owing drug debts to pay up.
While sources say he was not in the
The situation is very tense at the moment and anything could happen at any time
major league of drug dealers, he was making vast quantities of cash which he had difficulty hiding.
As he had no legitimate source of income to account for the amounts of cash generated, he took to money laundering.
Remarkably he had no convictions for serious crimes but was facing money laundering charges and was due in court early next year.
Three men are now before the courts charged in connection with Tristan Sherry’s death. Michael
Andrecut, 22, of Sheephill Avenue, Dublin 15, was the first charged with Mr Sherry’s murder.
David Amah, 18, of Hazel Grove, Portrane Road, Donabate, Co Dublin, has also been charged with the murder of Mr Sherry.
Wayne Deegan, who is in his 20s, of Linnetsfield Avenue, Phibblestown, Dublin, is charged with assault, causing harm to Tristan Sherry, producing a knife and violent disorder.
It is not an exaggeration to say it’s like a powderkeg with feelings running high