The 'heartbroken' family of a hitman killed on Christmas Eve in a bitter gangland feud have started a GoFundMe to pay for his funeral.
Tristan Sherry, 25, was one of two suspected gunmen who barged into a busy restaurant in the centre of Blanchardstown village in Dublin at around 8pm on Sunday, leaving panicked customers running for cover. It understood he opened fire on a well-known local criminal and his father before being overpowered and knocked to the ground, where he was repeatedly beaten and stabbed to death.
Local sources claimed Sherry was stabbed up to 27 times. He was pronounced dead a short time later at James Connolly Memorial Hospital. One man remained in a critical condition in Connolly Hospital yesterday, while the second suspected gunman ran from the scene during the brutal attack on Sherry and fled the scene in a white Audi car.
Gardai have launched a murder probe over the incident, while officers are said to fear reprisals among drugs gangs amid ongoing clashes in the Irish capital.
Marey Hand, a woman understood to be Tristan's mother, has since set up a GoFundMe page to raise €7,000 (£6,000) to raise funds for her son's funeral. Speaking of her son's family life and his love of motorcycles, she wrote: "Hi my name is Marey Hand and my son was murdered on Christmas Eve, his name was Tristan Sherry. We made this to raise money for his funeral cost in this difficult time. We are absolutely heartbroken that this has happened. He was well known for his love of motorcycles and was loved by many. He was an amazing Son, Brother, Father and Friend. We can’t believe life has to go on without him."
The attack came in the context of an ongoing feud among drugs gangs in the Corduff, Blanchardstown, and Finglas areas of north Dublin, with clashes between both sides occurring since 2019. Patrols by armed and regular officers are being increased in the aftermath. Brandon Ledwidge, a man in his 20s, was shot dead as he opened his door in Finglas last month, though Gardai do not currently believe the two shootings are linked.
It comes after police were made aware of a graphic video circulating online appearing to show Sherry, 25, lying on the ground and covered in blood as he is taunted on camera, stabbed, and brutally struck in the head with a large object. Gardai suspect the video was filmed by the attackers and has since been circulated by the gang. A spokesperson said: "An Garda Síochána is aware of videos of the incident and immediate aftermath which are in circulation on social media and messaging apps. We are appealing to the public for these videos not to be further distributed. We are also appealing to the public to be aware of a significant level of speculation, misinformation and disinformation which is in circulation. Gardaí have increased uniform patrols in the Dublin Region, with support from armed patrols, including the Garda Armed Support Unit.