Accusations of murder against two individuals, David Amah (18) and Michael Andrecut (22), in the case involving the death of Tristan Sherry in Dublin, have progressed to the Special Criminal Court for trial. A Christmas Eve tragedy saw Sherry shoot a man inside a Dublin eatery, which led to his own fatal end. Charged with a separate firearm offence, Juares Kumbu (18) is accused of hiding the murder weapon used by the shooter.
In an unusual move, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) decided to conduct the non-jury trial, citing the inability of ordinary courts to effectively administer justice in this specific case.
The victim, Tristan Sherry, a resident of Finglas, suffered deadly head injuries at Browne’s Steakhouse in Blanchardstown after he had fired a submachine gun at Jason Hennessy snr, causing injuries that resulted in his death in hospital after 11 days.
The accused had previously been denied bail and were present at a Cloverhill District Court hearing on Tuesday. In relation to the progression of the case, senior prosecutor Tom Conlon, on instructions from the DPP, ensured that the trial would proceed in the Special Criminal Court. The accused trio were granted a return-for-trial order and legal aid by Judge Alan Mitchell, who agreed to give senior counsel representation.
The date of their trial before the Special Criminal Court will be disclosed at a later date. They are currently being kept in custody as their bail application was rejected earlier. The court hearing included minimal discourse from accused Kumbu and Amah, with Andrecut offering a “Nice one” upon being served his book of evidence and hearing the Judge’s explanation.
The impending joint trial conjured the image of a full courtroom in the mind of Judge Mitchell, who noted that large legal teams would be necessary. Self-defence was a contention mentioned by Andrecut of Sheephill Avenue, Dublin 15, while Amah from Hazel Grove, Portrane Road, Donabate, Dublin, informed investigators of a state of panic and fear for his life during the incident.
The final allegation before the court was by Det Garda Shane Guinan, who claimed that Sherry was seized by victim Jason Hennessy snr, who later “succumbed to his injuries”.
The courtroom was informed that a firearm plummeted to the ground yet was subsequently retrieved and set on a worktop. Allegedly, Mr Kumbu from Grove in Brookhaven, Blanchardstown, obtained the weapon, left the eating venue and was chauffeured away from the crime location.
The preceding week, a duo of gentlemen also hailing from Dublin had their legal affairs forwarded to the aforementioned tribunal. Charged with the homicide of a certain Sherry are Noah Musueni, an 18 year old residing at Corduff Park, Corduff as well as Wayne Deegan, a 26 year old from Linnetsfield Avenue.
In regards to the identical matter, additional charges, including physical violence, violent fray and a weaponry misdemeanour during the same event, have been placed on one youth and two men. Among these is Brandon Hennessy, a 20 year old from Sheephill Avenue, Dublin 15 and son of Jason Hennessy Sr.
The court has been informed that he is alleged to have “counteracted” post his father getting injured by a bullet. The accusation against him includes participating in an aggressive ruckus and using a commercial dustpan and brush, equipped with a steel handle, capable of causing major harm during the chaos.