Case No. 2742Murder, violent disorder · Co. Dublin · 24 Dec 2023
Closing speeches heard in Special Criminal Court trial over murder of Tristan Sherry at Blanchardstown Steakhouse
The Special Criminal Court heard closing arguments in the trial of three men accused of murdering gunman Tristan Sherry and three others accused of violent disorder, following an incident at Browne's Steakhouse in Blanchardstown on Christmas Eve 2023 in which Sherry fatally shot Jason Hennessy snr before being beaten to death. All six accused have pleaded not guilty.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court5 Dec
2 reports - Verdict
- Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports26 statements extracted from the articles
- whatIn garda interviews, Andrecut referred to Hennessy snr as 'Daddy J' and described him as a father figure he loved. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatSherry and a second gunman arrived at the party with their faces covered and hoods up. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatSherry scuffled with Hennessy snr and fatally wounded him before being disarmed and beaten to death. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe prosecution's case is that Andrecut carried out extreme and continuous acts of violence including kicks, stamps, stabs and blows with an array of randomly acquired weapons. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatAndrecut said in his interviews that he reacted instinctively to the shooting. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatJason Hennessy snr and about 30 others had gathered for a Christmas Eve party. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatSherry shot and fatally wounded Hennessy Snr. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatSherry was dragged to the ground and beaten to death. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatJonas Kabangu allegedly left through a kitchen door then returned and twice kicked Sherry while he lay on the ground. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereHennessy snr and about 30 people gathered in Browne's Steakhouse in Blanchardstown on 24 December for a party. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe incident took place at Browne's Steakhouse in Blanchardstown. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe incident occurred on December 24, 2023. (irishmirror.ie)
- causeSherry died from blunt force trauma to the head resulting in injuries to the brain with sharp force injuries. (irishmirror.ie)
- weaponThe gunman was dressed in black and wearing a balaclava. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeThree men are on trial accused of Sherry's murder and three others including Brandon Hennessy are on trial accused of violent disorder; all deny the charges. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeThree men are on trial accused of Sherry's murder. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeThree others are accused of violent disorder. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeAll accused have pleaded not guilty. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtDominic McGinn SC applied to the three-judge, non-jury Special Criminal Court for permission to argue provocation as a partial defence to the murder charge against Michael Andrecut. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtLawyers for the other two men accused of Sherry's murder indicated they will make similar provocation applications when the trial continues on Friday. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe trial is before Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo, Judge Elma Sheahan and Judge James Faughnan. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe trial is being held at the three-judge, non-jury Special Criminal Court. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe trial will resume on Monday for closing speeches by lawyers for Brandon Hennessy and Diarmuid O'Brien. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherDavid Amah was 17 at the time of the killing. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherDavid Amah had no previous convictions and had never been questioned by gardai. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe second gunman had evaded capture at the time of the incident. (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 13 Dec2024Court hears murder-accused teen lost control after pal shot in Dublin steakhouse
Closing speeches delivered for David Amah (murder) and Jonas Kabangu (violent disorder); trial to resume for remaining defendants Brandon Hennessy and Diarmuid O'Brien.
victim, Tristan Sherry, male, irish (judged from name)Tristan Sherryvictim, Jason Hennessy snr, male, irish (judged from name)Jason Hennessy snraccused, Noah Musueni, 18, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Noah Musueniaccused, David Amah, 18, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)David Amahaccused, Michael Andrecut, 23, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Michael Andrecutaccused, Jonas Kabangu, 18, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Jonas Kabanguaccused, Diarmuid O'Brien, 18, male, named, irish (judged from name)Diarmuid O'Brienaccused, Brandon Hennessy, 21, male, named, irish (judged from name)Brandon Hennessy - 5 Dec2024Tristan Sherry murder accused was 'provoked' by hit on father-figure, court told
Details the defence application by Dominic McGinn SC to argue provocation as a partial defence for Michael Andrecut, the court's requirement of a 'genuinely serious act of provocation' causing 'total loss of self-control', Andrecut's description of Hennessy snr as 'Daddy J', and the indication that the other two murder defendants will make similar applications.
victim, Tristan Sherry, male, irish (judged from name)Tristan Sherryvictim, Jason Hennessy Snr, male, irish (judged from name)Jason Hennessy Snraccused, Michael Andrecut, 23, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Michael Andrecutaccused, Noah Musueni, 18, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Noah Musueniaccused, David Amah, 18, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)David Amahaccused, Jonas Kabangu, 18, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Jonas Kabanguaccused, Diarmuid O'Brien, 18, male, named, irish (judged from name)Diarmuid O'Brienaccused, Brandon Hennessy, 21, male, named, irish (judged from name)Brandon Hennessy