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Garda patrols stepped up after Dublin attack

Tristan Sherry was killed during a gun attack at a restaurant in Blanchardstown
Tristan Sherry was killed during a gun attack at a restaurant in Blanchardstown

Gardaí are continuing to appeal for information after an attack in west Dublin on Christmas Eve which left one man dead and another seriously injured.

26-year-old Tristan Sherry, from Finglas, is believed to have attempted to shoot a father and son before he was fatally injured at a restaurant in Blanchardstown.

A post-mortem examination was carried out on his body this afternoon, but gardaí say they are not releasing the results for operational reasons.

A man in his 40s injured in the attack is in a serious condition in Connolly Hospital, having been taken there by a relative.

Browne's Steakhouse on Main Street in Blanchardstown remained closed today.

Garda patrols in the area have been stepped up with support from armed units

Footage from inside the premises, shared on social media, shows customers - some with infants in their arms - running, crying and hiding under tables in the aftermath of the attack.

The incident is believed to be linked to an ongoing feud between organised crime gangs.

Tensions in the area are said to be high and gardaí have stepped up patrols with support from armed units.

Detectives are appealing to anyone with information or footage to contact them at Blanchardstown Garda Station and urged anyone with videos from the scene not to circulate it.

Flowers left at the scene in Blanchardstown (Pic: RollingNews.ie)

Local Labour Councillor John Walsh described it as a "reckless and senseless" attack which he said has caused shock and disbelief.

"Blanchardstown is a vibrant community. It's an incredibly busy time of year. The restaurant itself was very crowded, there was also a lot of people moving around the village, there was carol singing, religious services up at the church, and there was people doing last-minute Christmas shopping, so it was just an extraordinary reckless and senseless act.

Cllr John Walsh said there is 'shock and disbelief that something as dreadful as this could happen'

"There’s a great sense of shock and disbelief that something as dreadful as this could happen. It was a crowded family restaurant, there were families there with young children. We’re probably very fortunate that it didn’t lead to a greater loss of life."

Cllr Walsh also appealed to anyone with information to contact gardaí.

St Brigid's Church, which is just metres from where the attack took place, said the local community is in shock.

"The events unfolded while we were in the nearby church preparing for and celebrating Christmas carols and Mass. We only heard about them as our services concluded," a statement said.

"The contrast could not be stronger between our Christmas message of the importance of peace, joy, and the family and these terrible events.

"Our prayers and thoughts are with all those who were involved in any way, the victims, the customers, the staff and management, the Gardaí and emergency services and all their families and loved ones".

Fingal Chamber also expressed concern about the impact the gun attack could have on local businesses.

David Branagan, of Fingal Chamber, urged the community to support businesses in Blanchardstown

Communications Manager David Branagan said: "Incidents like this do raise real concern. Businesses are already facing many difficult challenges. This can shake peoples confidence and lead to a real knock- on effect in the area.

"So we're encouraging local communities to get out there and support the local business and their good, decent, hard-working employees in the days to come".