Teen pleads guilty to gun offence in steakhouse shooting

A teenager who was accused of removing a submachine gun from the Dublin steakhouse where gunman Tristan Sherry was killed after he shot a man on Christmas Eve last year, has pleaded guilty to a firearms offence.

Juares Kumbu, 18, of Brookhaven Grove, Blanchardstown appeared before the Special Criminal Court where he was arraigned on one charge that on 24 December 2023 at Browne's Steakhouse on Blanchardstown Main Street he had in his possession a submachine gun in circumstances giving rise to the reasonable inference that he did not have it for a lawful purpose.

He responded guilty to the charge.

A previous bail hearing at the Court of Appeal was told it is the State's case that Kumbu is the person who left the premises with the weapon.

The court also heard that gardaí now "have no idea where the firearm is".

Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo, presiding in the three-judge court, adjourned sentencing until 4 November.

Kumbu had been due to go on trial before the Special Criminal Court with six others accused of various offences arising out of the shooting.

Their trials are expected to begin later this year.

Twenty-six-year-old Tristan Sherry was killed after he shot and fatally injured Jason Hennessy Senior on Christmas Eve 2023 at the Blanchardstown steakhouse.

Eighteen-year-old Noah Musueni of Corduff Park, Blanchardstown, 26-year-old Wayne Deegan of Linnetsfield Avenue, Phibblestown, 18-year-old David Amah of Hazel Grove, Portrane Road, Donabate, and 22-year-old Michael Andrecut of Sheephill Avenue, Blanchardstown are all charged with Mr Sherry's murder.

Eighteen-year-old Jonas Kabangu of Corduff Park, Blanchardstown, is charged with violent disorder at the same location on that date, as is a young man who turned 18 after being charged and cannot be named.