Irish police are 'gravely concerned' that innocent people may soon become embroiled in an 'all-out feud' between gangs allegedly involved in a Christmas Eve shooting at a Dublin steakhouse.
The attacker, identified as 26-year-old Tristan Sherry, killed one and left another fighting for his life in hospital after shooting up Browne's Steakhouse in Blanchardstown, west Dublin.
The two victims are believed to be a father-son couple who were having dinner with several family members when they were attacked at 8:10 p.m. on Christmas Eve.
The surviving victim, a 26-year-old from nearby Corduff, is currently being treated at Connolly Memorial Hospital. As of last night, his condition was described as serious after suffering at least one gunshot wound to the neck.
The dead victim, a 47-year-old man from Corduff, has been to the City Morgue where a pathologist will carry out a post-mortem examination today.
Sherry, who was killed at the scene, is believed to be a member of a local drug gang led by 'Mr. Flashy', which has been involved in several violent incidents in the area in recent years.
Gardaí are now 'gravely concerned' that innocent members of the public could be drawn into a wider feud sparked by the shooting after a gang offered the public more than €1,000 for information on the whereabouts of rivals.
Videos shared online appear to show people in the restaurant ducking and someone else running for cover
The suspected attacker, Tristan Sherry, died after being overpowered by his intended victims
Police patrol the street outside the steakhouse where one man was killed and another shot
Gardai outside Browne's Steakhouse in Blanchardstown, Dublin, after the Christmas Eve shooting
A security source told the Mail: 'Gardaí now fear a very major escalation in this feud following the attack. The general public in the area is being asked to give up the location of a rival gang member for cash.
“This is being sold as a 'no questions asked' situation. But if someone does know this information and reveals it, the gang could target him for effectively informing them, putting him and his family in danger.
'They could also unknowingly become involved in a crime and have the Gardaí knocking on their door if there are any consequences for this shooting.'
It's clear that Tristan targeted a father and son who were eating together at Browne's.
Both Sherry and the injured man are known to the police for their alleged involvement in drug crime. Associates of the injured man have already vowed revenge, the Irish Independent reported.
Two suspects fled in a white Audi and police are calling on anyone with information to contact them as soon as possible.
A forensic investigator speaks to Garda officers at the scene
Garda officers at the scene where a man in his 20s was pronounced dead after being injured in a shooting incident
Police have cordoned off the area around the steakhouse where the incident took place
Helen McEntee, Ireland's justice minister, condemned the attack, which is believed to be linked to a feud in west Dublin that is responsible for a high number of attacks.
She said: “This cruelty has resulted in unimaginable human suffering this Christmas.
'That someone could commit such violence when families come together is utterly disgusting.
“I'm thinking of the relatives, those who were on the scene and all the emergency services staff who are working tonight and over Christmas and are having to deal with this senseless violence.”
Multiple sources told the Irish Daily Mail that they believe the horror attack is linked to a feud in the Corduff area of west Dublin that has been going on for several years.
One said: 'There has been a feud going on since about 2019 involving a very serious drugs gang from Corduff. They are at war with a Finglas-based drug gang, led by a young man nicknamed Mr Flashy.
“As a result of this feud, there have been several shootings and fire attacks on homes and cars. There was even an incident where a man was attacked with a machete at a police station.
A forensic investigator at the scene in Blanchardstown, Dublin
Images shared on social media show terrified families running for their lives and hiding under tables
This is the shocking moment a restaurant shouts 'someone is about to punch me in front of my eyes' as a gunman storms a Dublin steakhouse and fires on a father and son
'There were warnings that it would only be a matter of time before a murder took place, and it did. Sherry was known to police for his involvement in crime, especially his ties to organized criminals.
“What appears to have happened is that he shot at the two men but was overpowered and punched and stabbed by the uninjured man. It also appears that the men in the Audi outside realized that things had not gone according to plan and took off.
“What we're likely to see now is an increase in retaliation. Both sides of this feud are feared organized crime gangs that specialize in drug trafficking.
“The Finglas group has links with the Westies gang, who have been a serious gang for the last 20 years and the other side of which has their own pedigree.
“The cool thing about this feud is that there are so many moving pieces. People who were once loyal to one gang are now on the other side and vice versa.”
In the hours after the incident, several videos of the aftermath of the attack were shared on social media. One shows a man lying on the ground covered in blood. Other videos show diners hiding under tables and screaming.
A police spokesman said yesterday: 'A man in his 20s was fatally injured. A second man in his 40s continues to be treated for gunshot wounds. His condition remains serious.
“Police are aware of videos of the incident and immediate aftermath circulating on social media and messaging apps. We appeal to the public not to spread these videos further.
'We also appeal to the public to be aware of the significant level of speculation, disinformation and disinformation circulating. Gardaí have increased the number of uniform patrols in the Dublin area, with support from armed patrols, including the Garda Armed Support Unit.”
