The son of the man shot dead in a busy Dublin restaurant last Christmas Eve used a dustpan and brush to strike down in the direction of the gunman while he lay on the ground after being disarmed, the Special Criminal Court has heard.
The non-jury court also heard on Wednesday that a teenager accused of violent disorder hid under a table in the restaurant as criminal Tristan Sherry opened fire before being beaten to death.
Three men are on trial at the three-judge, non-jury court accused of murdering Tristan Sherry at Browne's Steakhouse on Main St, Blanchardstown on December 24th last year, while three others are accused of violent disorder arising from the same incident.
The court has heard that Jason Hennessy snr and a group of about 30 people had gathered in Browne's for a party when Sherry and a second gunman arrived.
Sherry scuffled with Hennessy and shot him dead before he was disarmed and beaten to death.
Det Gda Dermot Sloan today told prosecution counsel Fiona Murphy SC that CCTV footage showed Diarmuid O'Brien (18) sitting in a corner seat at a table when Sherry arrived at 8.13pm armed with a gun.
As Sherry struggled with Jason Hennessy Snr and other members of the Hennessy group, Det Gda Sloan said Mr O'Brien hid under the table. He remained there for more than one minute while the assault on Sherry continued, Det Gda Sloan said.
When Mr O'Brien emerged, he helped to lift Jason Hennessy snr from the ground. After about 20 seconds, Mr O'Brien broke away from the group carrying Mr Hennessy's body and moved closer to where Sherry was lying on the ground.
The garda said that from Mr O'Brien's body position, he appeared to strike in the direction of Tristan Sherry.
Mr O'Brien then tried to leave through a fire door but was unable to do so due to a latch at the top of the door.
He left through the restaurant, stopping at one point to comfort a young woman before picking up a small child who he carried from the restaurant to the carpark.
Brandon Hennessy arrived at Browne's with his father at about 7.27pm.
Once inside, he sat down beside Diarmuid O'Brien and when Sherry opened fire, he moved towards his father while others continued wrestling with Sherry.
Brandon then moved towards Sherry and crouched low to him and pulled or dragged him, the witness said, before being pulled away by another member of the group.
The accused attempted to assist his father but moved back towards the "scuffle" and again crouched down to Sherry. Less than two minutes after the attack had begun, Mr Hennessy took a dustpan and brush and used it to strike down in the direction of Sherry.
He then helped to carry his father from the area. The accused and other members of the group placed Jason Hennessy Snr into a car and drove away, Det Gda Sloan said.
Lawyers for each of the accused said they would be making submissions on the accuracy of Det Gda Sloan's evidence.
The trial continues before Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo, Her Honour Judge Elma Sheahan, and Judge James Faughnan.
Charges
Three men are on trial charged with the murder of Tristan Sherry on December 24th, 2023 at Browne’s Steakhouse, Main Street, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15.
They are Noah Musueni (18), Corduff Park, Blanchardstown; David Amah (18), Hazel Grove, Portrane Road, Donabate, Dublin; and Michael Andrecut (22), Sheephill Avenue, Blanchardstown.
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 have pleaded not guilty.
