Teenager charged with violent disorder at scene of Blanchardstown murders

An 18-year-old man charged with violent disorder at the scene of two murders at a steakhouse in Dublin on Christmas Eve has been granted bail.

Tristan Sherry (26) died of blunt force trauma to the head after shooting Jason Hennessy snr at Browne’s Steakhouse in Blanchardstown.

Mr Hennessy (48) had been having dinner with family and friends before the gun attack and died 11 days later in hospital.

Jonas Kabangu was charged with engaging in violent disorder in the restaurant on December 24th by using or threatening to use violence with two co-defendants, Wayne Deegan and a 17-year-old boy, who are already before the courts on connected charges.

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[ Two men accused of murdering gunman Tristan Sherry denied bail ]

Mr Kabangu appeared before Judge David McHugh at Blanchardstown District Court.

Garda Áine Doherty told the court the teenager “made no reply to the charge”, and she added there was no objection to bail subject to conditions.

Defence solicitor Tertius Van Eeden asked the judge to restrict the media from reporting his client’s address. The judge agreed to the request. He said there was no prohibition in law on naming the accused but noted from Mr Van Eeden there were “security considerations”.

The garda confirmed there were safety issues and concerns about potential retaliation attacks.

Mr Kabangu did not address the court. But his solicitor objected to some of the terms sought by the Garda, including a curfew and requirement to sign on three days a week at a Garda station and have no contact with several individuals.

Mr Van Eeden submitted his client was not a flight risk, referring to the fact his client had no convictions nor had ever been in court and that the incident happened nearly a month ago.

He said Mr Kabangu had gone for a meal, adding: “It is not his fault some other party entered the restaurant and put him in the position in which he finds himself now.” He also told the court his client intended to contest the allegation and had “a strong chance of acquittal”.

Judge McHugh set bail in Mr Kabangu’s bond of €100 and imposed a number of conditions.

He ordered Mr Kabangu to appear at the same court later for directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions to be obtained. Legal aid was granted.

Four co-defendants are in custody on remand.

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