Gardaí set sights on cartel chief Daniel Kinahan after right-hand man is charged on extradition from Dubai
Sean McGovern (39) is the most senior member of the crime group to appear in an Irish court after he was charged with murder and directing a crime gang.
The Air Corps plane arrives at Baldonnel, Dublin with Sean McGovern following his extradition from Dubai. Photo: Gerry Mooney
Members of the garda armed support unit outside the Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin yesterday, ahead of the court appearance of Sean McGovern. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
Gardaí are confident of extraditing cartel leader Daniel Kinahan back to Ireland after his closest confidant was returned from Dubai to face serious charges.
Sean McGovern (39) is the most senior member of the crime group to appear in an Irish court after he was charged with murder and directing a crime gang.
The Crumlin man was arrested last October and finally removed from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) following a protracted legal and diplomatic process.
Daniel Kinahan
His removal from the UAE, long considered a safe haven for Irish criminals, has now given renewed confidence to detectives that his boss Daniel Kinahan can be returned.
The State's prosecution service and a special counsel are understood to still be reviewing a lengthy file received nearly two years ago on Daniel Kinahan and his younger brother Christy, to determine if they should face prosecution.
Gardaí have recommended that they be charged with directing a criminal organisation, which carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment on conviction.
Sean McGovern
Sources have described this as an 'all-encompassing' charge which reflects a wide range of offending including murder and conspiracy to murder as well as drugs and firearms offences.
'The decision lies with the DPP on whether to charge, but gardaí are confident that if this does happen, the Kinahans will be extradited back here,' a source said.
The gang's leadership continues to reside in the emirate, although there are concerns that they could now move to a state more hostile to Western interests on the back of McGovern's extradition.
It opens the door for future co-operation
Acting Garda Commissioner Shawna Coxon last night described it as a 'precedent-setting case' and that they have signed a memorandum of understanding 'which opens the door for future co-operation'.
Ms Coxon also said she 'can't speak to any specific investigation' when asked if gardaí were any further to preferring charges against the Kinahan leadership.
Earlier she said that gardaí have developed 'major international partnerships' to target international crime gangs.
This includes at judicial level with the UAE and a police-to-police basis which is of value, adding that it is something they will continue to develop.
Ms Coxon also acknowledged the assistance of the Irish Air Corps for its 'valued co-operating in this operation'.
Last night, Sean McGovern was brought before the Special Criminal Court amid a heavy armed garda presence to be formally charged.
He is accused of the murder of innocent grandfather Noel Kirwan (62) in December 2016, and related offences of directing and facilitating a crime gang to carry out that murder.
Noel Kirwan, who was shot dead in December 2016, and Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch
McGovern is further accused of directing a crime gang to carry out surveillance on Hutch associate James 'Mago' Gately between October 2015 and April 2017, and assisting that gang conspire to murder him.
Defence barrister Olan Callanan BL told the court that they were reserving their position in relation to the lawfulness of McGovern's arrest and the jurisdiction of the court.
Detective Sergeant Donal Daly gave evidence of arresting the accused for the purposes of charging him and explained that the DPP certified that he should be charged before the non-jury court.
The accused, dressed in a grey T-shirt, grey tracksuit bottoms, socks and sandals, only addressed the court to say 'yes' when asked to confirm he was Sean McGovern.
No application for bail was made as this can only be sought before the High Court on charges of murder or organised crime offences.
Ms Justice Karen O'Connor, presiding, remanded McGovern in custody and he is due to appear before the court again on June 5.
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