Gunman Tristan Sherry was beaten with chairs during 'savage' Dublin steakhouse assault, court hears

Gunman Tristan Sherry was kicked, stamped and struck with various objects including chairs during a "savage" assault at a busy Dublin steakhouse last Christmas Eve, a barrister has told the Special Criminal Court.

Prosecution counsel Fiona Murphy SC told the three-judge, non-jury court that Jason Hennessy Snr and other associates had occupied a number of tables and booths at the busy Browne's Steakhouse in Blanchardstown last December 24.
Shortly after 8pm Tristan Sherry and a second man entered the restaurant with their faces covered and hoods up and went to where Jason Hennessy Snr was standing, holding a young toddler in his arms, counsel said.

Sherry walked towards Hennessy leading to an altercation and "within seconds" Sherry fell to the ground. The court has previously heard that Sherry was carrying a firearm and shot and fatally wounded Hennessy.

READ MORE - Jason Hennessy Sr was holding toddler in his arms when gunman entered restaurant to shoot him, court hears

READ MORE - Boy, 13, accused of sex assault on girl in Dublin supermarket toilet

Ms Murphy said Sherry was promptly disarmed and attacked by a group using "savage levels of violence" involving kicking, stamping and striking with various objects including chairs.

Counsel said CCTV shows Hennessy falling to the ground before being carried from the scene over Sherry who was still being attacked. Hennessy passed away from the gunshot injury he sustained in the altercation with Sherry, counsel said.

Ms Murphy said the court will view CCTV footage of the incident and each of the accused will be identified. A pathologist will say that Sherry died from blunt force trauma.

Noah Musueni (18), Michael Andrecut (22) and David Amah (18) each formally entered not guilty pleas to the murder of Tristan Sherry at the three-judge, non-jury Special Criminal Court this morning.

Following the opening speech by Ms Murphy, lawyers for each of the three murder accused admitted that their clients were present at Browne's Steakhouse in Blanchardstown when Sherry died. They also accepted that Sherry died as a result of injuries sustained during violence at the steakhouse and that the accused men were correctly identified on CCTV footage of the fatal incident that is relied on by the prosecution.

There were further admissions relating to the lawfulness of the arrests of the three, the seizure of exhibits, DNA samples and fingerprints, and that the crime scene was properly preserved.

Jonas Kabangu, Brandon Hennessy and Diarmuid O'Brien are charged with violent disorder arising from the same incident. Their lawyers also accepted that Sherry's death was as a result of injuries sustained during the violence.

The trial continues tomorrow before Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo, Judge Elma Sheahan and Judge James Faughnan.

Four men are charged with the murder of Tristan Sherry on December 24, 2023, at Browne’s Steakhouse, Main Street, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15.

The three currently on trial are Noah Musueni (18), Corduff Park, Blanchardstown; David Amah (18), Hazel Grove, Portrane Road, Donabate, Dublin; and Michael Andrecut (22), Sheephill Avenue, Blanchardstown.

Wayne Deegan (26), Linnetsfield Avenue, Phibblestown, Dublin 15 is also charged with murder but is awaiting a report by a neuro-psychologist and will be tried at a later date.

Jonas Kabangu (18), Corduff Park, Blanchardstown and 18-year-old Diarmuid O'Brien of Corduff Place, Blanchardstown are charged with violent disorder at the same location on that date.

Brandon Hennessy (21) of Sheephill Avenue, Dublin 15 - the son of Jason Hennessy Snr - is also charged with violent disorder.

All the accused pleaded not guilty today.

18-year-old Jaures Kumbu of Brookhaven Grove, Blanchardstown has previously pleaded guilty to removing from the scene the sub-machine gun that was used by Sherry to kill Hennessy. The gun has not been retrieved.