A MAN HAS been charged with the murder of Tristan Sherry, who was killed after fatally shooting another man in a Dublin restaurant on Christmas Eve.

Sherry, 26, was attacked after carrying out a gun attack on Jason Hennessy Sr, 48, inside Browne’s Steakhouse in Blanchardstown.

Wayne Deegan, 26, of Linnetsfield Avenue, Phibblestown, Dublin 15, accused initially of attacking Sherry, violent disorder and producing a knife as a weapon in at the alleged crime scene, had been refused bail in January.

He appeared again at Cloverhill District Court today.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) directed Detective Garda Sean Kelly to charge Deegan with murder.

Judge John O’Leary heard that the accused was charged at the courthouse “and in answer to that charge, he made no reply”.

Detective Garda Kelly said the DPP had directed trial on indictment.

The three original alleged offences were withdrawn. 

The District Court does not have jurisdiction to consider bail in murder cases, which requires an application before the High Court. 

Judge O’Leary remanded him in custody to appear again next Thursday. 

Deegan, who has yet to indicate a plea, did not address the court. 

The accused, who has been on disability benefits, was granted legal aid following an application from defence solicitor Elaine Martin.

The DPP must complete a book of evidence and serve it on him prior to granting a return for trial order sending him forward to the Central Criminal Court.

Father of one Sherry was attacked after opening fire inside Browne’s Steakhouse on the night of Saturday, 24 December. 

Jason Hennessy Sr was shot in the neck and upper body while having a meal with family and friends. Mr Hennessy, from Corduff in west Dublin, was rushed to hospital, but his condition deteriorated, and he passed away on 4 January, resulting in gardaí commencing a separate murder investigation.

At a previous bail hearing on Deegan’s original set of charges, the court was told he claimed he acted in self-defence.

During Garda bail objections it was alleged that Deegan was with a group in the restaurant when two gunmen entered and opened fire on a male.

One fled, but the other, Mr Sherry, was “grabbed” and suffered injuries. The court heard a firearm was picked up by another male, and there was a “sustained attack” on Mr Sherry on the ground for five minutes.

He was pronounced dead at the scene. 

Co-defendants David Amah, 18, of Hazel Grove, Portrane Road, Donabate, Dublin, Michael Andrecut, 22, with an address at Sheephill Avenue in Dublin 15, and a 17-year-old boy who cannot be named because he is a minor, were previously charged with murdering Sherry and remain in custody.

Another youth and two other men are also before the courts on related charges, including assault, violent disorder and production of a weapon during the incident.

One of the co-defendants, Brandon Hennessy, 20, of Sheephill Avenue, Dublin 15, is a son of Jason Hennessy Sr. A court has heard he allegedly “retaliated” after his father was fatally injured.