Gardaí carried out security sweeps at a funeral home and church in Dublin on Monday ahead of the funeral of a gunman who was killed while carrying out a fatal shooting on Christmas Eve.
Tristan Sherry’s funeral is due to take place in Finglas on Tuesday morning, with a significant security operation planned amid rising tensions between his associates and those of the man he shot and killed, Jason Hennessy.
Garda teams searched the funeral home in Finglas and St Canice’s Church in the village for fear explosives or weapons may have been stashed there.
Sherry (26), a father of one from Finglas, who previously lived in Blanchardstown, was one of two armed men who entered Browne’s Steakhouse on Main Street, Blanchardstown at about 8pm on Christmas Eve and opened fire.
Hennessy Snr (48), from Blanchardstown, was fatally wounded in the shooting, dying from his injuries in the Mater Hospital on January 4th. His funeral is expected to take place later this week.
Sherry’s funeral Mass is due to take place on Tuesday at 11.30am at St Canice’s Church in Finglas.
“Tristan will be very sadly missed by his heartbroken Mam Mary and sister Savanna, beloved daughter Aria, aunts Yvonne, Priscilla, Leona and a very wide circle of friends,” his death notice states.
Gardaí are expected to a have a uniform presence at both funerals, with back-up on standby if required. That back-up, which is not expected to be visible to mourners, will include armed members of the force and public order officers, although they are not expected to be deployed at either funeral.
Given the very unusual circumstances of both murders, and the fact significant investigations are ongoing into associates of both men, tensions are running high.
Gardaí have already stepped up armed patrols at key locations in Finglas and Blanchardstown for fear the events of Christmas Eve may lead to further violence. However, sources stressed it would be unusual if any trouble were to flare up at the funerals this week.
- Sign up for push alerts and have the best news, analysis and comment delivered directly to your phone
- Find The Irish Times on WhatsApp and stay up to date
- Our In The News podcast is now published daily – Find the latest episode here
