Six men have pleaded not guilty to offences relating to the murder of the gunman Tristan Sherry, who died after he shot and fatally injured a man at a restaurant in Blanchardstown in Dublin on Christmas Eve last.
22-year-old Michael Andrecut from Sheephill Avenue in Blanchardstown, 18-year-old Noah Musueni from Corduff Park in Blanchardstown, and 18-year-old David Amah from Hazel Grove, Portrane Road in Donabate, have all pleaded not guilty to murder.
18-year-old Jonas Kabangu from Corduff Park in Blanchardstown, 18-year-old Diarmuid O’Brien from Corduff Place, and 21-year-old Brandon Hennessy from Sheephill Avenue in Blanchardstown, all pleaded not guilty to violent disorder at Browne’s Steakhouse on Christmas Eve.
Brandon Hennessy’s father, Jason Hennessy senior, died from gunshot wounds he sustained that night.
The 48-year-old and his family had arrived for dinner at Browne’s steakhouse on Christmas Eve. The restaurant was full, and the group occupied tables and booths at the back.
Shortly after 8pm, two gunmen walked in and went to the back of the restaurant where Mr Hennessy senior was standing holding a toddler.
One of the gunmen Tristan Sherry, was carrying a submachine gun. He was tackled to the ground by Jason Hennessy senior, and never got up.
Prosecuting counsel Fiona Murphy told the court that the 26-year-old was disarmed and attacked by a crowd. The levels of violence were “savage” she said, Tristan Sherry was kicked, stamped and struck with chairs.
Jason Hennessy senior, was attended to and carried from the restaurant over Tristan Sherry while the attack continued, and he remained on the ground struggling for breath.
Mr Sherry died from blunt force trauma injuries. Jason Hennessy died later from gunshot wounds.
Juares Kumbu removed the firearm from the scene as the attack on Tristan Sherry was coming to an end.
The prosecution says it will present evidence including 999 calls, exhibits, the results of forensic examinations, CCTV footage from the restaurant and evidence of arrests, detention and interviews with the accused.
Ms Murphy said the prosecution’s case is that Michael Andrecut, Noah Musueni and David Amah murdered Tristan Sherry by engaging in unlawful violence with intent to kill and that the other three, Jonas Kabangu, Diarmuid O’Brien and Brandon Hennessy, were present and used unlawful violence that would cause a reasonable person to fear for their safety.
All six men replied not guilty when the charges were put to them in the Special Criminal Court.
However, a number of admissions were made on their behalf.
Mr Andrecut, Mr Amah, Mr Musueni, Mr Kabangu, and Mr O’Brien admitted they were in the restaurant that night and that the identification of them on CCTV by gardaí is correct.
They also accept that the scenes of crime were properly preserved, their photographs and fingerprints were lawfully obtained and that Tristan Sherry died as a result of injuries he sustained at the restaurant.
Brandon Hennessy has made two admissions that all scenes of crime were properly preserved, and Tristan Sherry died from injuries sustained at the restaurant last Christmas Eve.
The trial is expected to last four weeks.
