Gang linked to murdered Jason Hennessy Snr are targets of garda drugs raid

A juvenile male from the Corduff area was arrested as part of the intelligence led operation and sources say that the teenager is suspected of acting as a “runner” for the notorious gang who are heavily involved in drug debt intimidation and gangland feuding.

“Unfortunately he is just one of many juveniles who have been sucked into their orbit,” a senior source said today.

“You are talking about literally dozens – this organised crime gang linked to the late Hennessy Senior continue to be a major blight on the community,” the source added.

In a murder that made international headlines Jason Hennessy Snr was as shot in the neck and upper body while having a meal with family and friends in a steakhouse in Blanchardstown on Christmas Eve.

He was taken to hospital, but died on January 4 from his catastrophic injuries.

Multiple young men have been charged in relation to the subsequent alleged fatal attack on gunman Tristan Sherry but no one has yet been charged in relation to the murder of Hennessy.

“Make no mistake since that murder the Hennessy organised crime gang has continued to be one of the most prolific organised crime gangs in this country and like many others their recruitment of all-too-willing juveniles is a significant issue and matter of grave concern,” a senior source said.

Gardai today announced details of yesterday’s operation against the mob who have been under constant observation by specialist units for many months especially because of reprisal fears over the Christmas Eve restaurant bloodbath.

“Gardaí have seized approximately €117,400 drugs and a firearm in Blanchardstown, Dublin 15 on Tuesday 7th May 2024,” a garda spokesman said.

“Gardaí attached to the Finglas Drugs Unit conducted a search of a wasteland area and recovered suspected cocaine with an estimated value of €59,500.

“Later the same day a second search was conducted of the same wasteland area. During this search, suspected cocaine with an estimated value of €52,500 as well as €5,400 of cannabis and a sawn off shotgun were recovered.

“A male juvenile, aged in his teens, was arrested at the scene and is currently detained under Section 30 Offenses Against the State Act, 1939 at a Garda Station in North Dublin.

“The drugs and firearm seized will be sent for further examination,” he added.

Four males have been charged with the murder of Tristan Sherry, the gunman who targeted Jason Hennesy Senior at Christmas Eve shooting at Browne's Steakhouse in Blanchardstown, Dublin.

Another youth and four other men face various charges, including assault, violent disorder and production of a weapon during the incident. One of them is accused of a firearms offence after he allegedly took the gun used by Sherry out of the restaurant.

No one has yet been charged with Hennessy’s murder which sources say has caused “major agitation” to his close gang members who have a deep hatred of gardai and suspicion of the criminal justice system.

“This may well be the case but yesterday’s operation shows they are involved in the most very serious levels of organised crime,” a source said today.