Teen ‘took loaded sub machine gun from steakhouse’
GARDAI OBJECT TO BAIL AS FIREARM STILL MISSING
A TEENAGER accused of removing a loaded submachine gun that was “used to murder Jason Hennessy Snr” on Christmas Eve was “caught redhanded”, a court has heard.
Jarus Kumbu (18) is alleged to have picked up the gun that hitman Tristan Sherry used to shoot Mr Hennessy Snr and left Browne’s Steakhouse with the weapon on December 24, 2023.
It is alleged that following the shooting, the gun was dropped on the floor and another male picked it up and placed it on a table before the accused took it.
Kumbu “was clearly observed picking it up and cradling same in his clothing,” said Det Gda Shane Guinan, before leaving the restaurant to be driven away from the scene, Blanchardstown District Court heard yesterday afternoon.
Possession
Kumbu, of Brookhaven Grove in Blanchardstown, is charged with the unlawful possession of the submachine gun under Section 27(A) of the Firearms Act on Main Street, Blanchardstown on December 24, 2023.
Detective Garda Guinan told Judge Marie Conneely he arrested the accused at 7.15am yesterday morning at Brookhaven Grove.
He said the accused was charged at Blanchardstown Garda Station where he made “no reply” after caution.
He added: “The fact the firearm is not in possession of the gardai is the sole reason for objecting to bail.” He outlined that on December 24, 2023 a group of people were in the company of Jason Hennessy Snr in the restaurant having a meal including the alleged accused. He said: “At 8.15pm two men entered the restaurant, both were in possession of firearms and opened fire targeting the group.”
He added one of the gunmen was Sherry who was grabbed by Hennessy Snr and the second gunman fled.
Sherry (26) shot Hennessy Snr, who later died on January 4. Mr Sherry was then attacked by a group and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Defence solicitor Simon Fleming said the accused was in the restaurant “with the Hennessys enjoying dinner when two assassins ran in spraying bullets.
He was a diner, “he had nothing to do with the attack on the Hennessys”.
Custody
“He is an 18-year-old and bail should be set,” argued Mr Fleming.
Judge Conneely refused bail and remanded the accused in custody to appear before Cloverhill District Court next Tuesday, April 30, via video link.
Meanwhile, four people have been charged with the murder of Tristan Sherry.
These are David Amah (18), of Hazel Grove, Portrane Road, Donabate, Dublin; Michael Andrecut (22), of Sheephill Avenue, Dublin 15 and Wayne Deegan (26), of Linnetsfield Avenue, Phibblestown, Dublin 15 and a 17-year-old youth, who cannot be identified.
Three others, including Brandon Hennessy (20), of Sheephill Avenue in Dublin 15, who is a son of Jay Hennessy Snr are before the courts on related charges including violent disorder.