The widow of Jason Hennessy Snr, who was shot dead in a gangland attack, has appeared in court accused of setting a XL Bully dog on police officers during a drugs and money laundering investigation.

Hennessy Snr, from Corduff in west Dublin, was 48 when he was shot and killed in Browne’s Steakhouse in Blanchardstown, Dublin, on Christmas Eve 2023, before one of his attackers was stabbed and beaten to death by diners.

The father-of-ten was a leading member of the Blanchardstown Mob who claimed territory in north west Dublin. His murder was part of a gangland feud with rival group The Gucci Gang.

He was known to gardaí and had been due to stand trial on money laundering charges.

Police arrested his widow Veronica Maher, 54, on April 3 as part of ‘ongoing investigations into the activities of an organised crime group in West Dublin’.

On Friday morning, she appeared at Blanchardstown District Court on four charges.

Maher is charged with intentionally or recklessly engaging in conduct by deliberately letting a large restricted breed XL Bully dog from her front garden whilst gardaí, who were on beat patrol in the area, were there on March 28.

It’s alleged the dog chased the officers causing them to flee and putting them in fear. 

Jason Hennessy Snr (pictured), from Corduff in west Dublin, was 48 when he was shot and killed in Browne’s Steakhouse in Blanchardstown, Dublin, on Christmas Eve 2023, before one of his attackers was stabbed and beaten to death by diners 

Veronica Maher, 54, pictured at Blanchardstown District Court on Friday morning where she was charged in relation to an operation targeting organised crime in West Dublin

Gardaí outside Browne’s Steakhouse in Blanchardstown on Christmas morning, following the shooting of Hennessy Snr

She is also charged with possessing a €10 marked note which was used as part of an undercover operation to purchase illegal drugs from the rear of her home address on April 3.

Maher is further charged with threatening to kill or cause serious harm to Garda Joseph Doherty on March 28 at her home address and possessing €1,350 (£1,148) in cash – allegedly made through criminal conduct at her home address on April 3.

Her bail conditions include not to have any restricted breed dogs at her home and the back door of her property to be used for emergency access only and not to facilitate the sale and supply of controlled substances.

Maher appeared wrapped in a blue blanket and wearing a pair of black Ugg slippers and did not address the court during the short hearing.

Her case has been adjourned until July 22. 

Ms Maher’s daughter Jade Hennessey, 32, and Kayleigh McEntee, 26, were also brought to court on related charges under the same investigation.

Ms Hennessy, of Blanchardstown, is charged with possessing cocaine for sale or supply on April 3 at her home address and being in possession of €1,575 (£1,339) proceeds of crime.

Her bail condition include signing on three times per week at Blanchardstown Garda Station and providing a mobile phone number. She was assigned legal aid after the court heard she receives social welfare.

Ms McEntee, also of Blanchardstown, is charged with possessing €6,875 (£5,846) proceeds of crime at the same address on the same date. 

Her bail conditions include signing on three times per week at Blanchardstown Garda Station and providing an address and phone number. Legal aid was also granted after the court heard she is unemployed.

Both had their cases adjourned until July 22 for DPP directions.