
Book of evidence served on alleged Kinahan cartel figure Sean McGovern
McGovern, 39, of Kildare Road, Crumlin, Dublin 12, who was extradited from Dubai earlier this year, appeared before the three-judge Special Criminal Court on Monday.
He is charged with the murder of Mr Kirwan on December 22, 2016 at St Ronan's Drive, Clondalkin in Dublin.
Mr McGovern is also charged with directing the activities of a criminal organisation in connection with the same murder between October 20, 2016 and December 22, 2016.
He is further charged with directing the activities of a criminal organisation in connection with the surveillance of James Gately in preparation for the commission of an indictable offence between October 17, 2015 and April 6, 2017.
He is also charged with contributing to or participating in activity intending or being reckless as to whether such activity would facilitate a criminal organisation in the murder of Mr Kirwan. He faces a similar charge of facilitating a criminal organisation in a conspiracy to murder Mr Gately.
The book of evidence relating to the Kirwan murder was served on the accused on Monday morning, defence counsel Keith Spencer said. A second book of evidence will be served in October via electronic means.
Counsel reiterated the defence's plan to contest the legality of McGovern's extradition from Dubai in May of last year.
Counsel noted that this legal challenge could be brought before the Special Criminal Court or another appropriate court.
McGovern was remanded back in custody to Portlaoise Prison to appear before the court again in October.
Sign up to the Irish Mirror's Courts and Crime newsletter here and get breaking crime updates and news from the courts direct to your inbox.
The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Irish Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
"A deeply disturbing incident" - Person killed in suspected arson attack on car
Police in Northern Ireland have launched an investigation into a sudden death linked to an arson attack on a car in Co Tyrone. The PSNI received a report from members of the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) at 2.05pm on Saturday afternoon that a silver Mitsubishi Lancer GS2 was on fire in the Rylagh Road area of Omagh. "As fire officers extinguished the blaze they discovered that, tragically, a person had died as a result of the fire," PSNI Detective Inspector Keon said in a statement. 'We are treating this fire as arson, and our enquiries as to how the person came to be beside the vehicle are ongoing. " Detectives in Omagh are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident and have issued an appeal to anyone who may have witnessed the incident to contact them. 'We are treating this fire as arson, and our enquiries as to how the person came to be beside the vehicle are ongoing," Detective Inspector Keon added. The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week 'We would appeal to anyone who may have been in the area between midday and 2.15pm yesterday, who may have noticed anything suspicious, to contact us. We would be particularly keen to hear from anyone who had dashcam or other footage and would also like to hear from anyone who may have noticed this particular vehicle. 'The number to call is 101, quoting reference 928 02/08/25. 'You can also report online at "Alternatively, information can be provided to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at SDLP West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan expressed his deep shock and sympathy following the tragic death: 'This is a deeply disturbing incident that has shocked the local community. My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of the person who has so tragically lost their life.' He added: 'It is heartbreaking that someone has died in such harrowing circumstances. People in the area are understandably anxious and looking for answers. It is critical that anyone with information – no matter how small – reports it to the PSNI. The victim's family deserves truth and justice. I will be following developments closely and supporting efforts to ensure a full investigation.' For more of the latest breaking news from the Irish Mirror check out our homepage by clicking here.


Irish Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Garda hospitalised after being assaulted while arresting sword-wielding man
A man has been charged with assaulting a garda after he was caught brandishing a sword in South Dublin last night. Officers responded to calls from locals that a man was walking around the Ballyogan area of South Dublin, armed with a sword in the early hours of this morning. When officers responded they attempted to apprehend the man, who was carrying what appeared to be a sword. It is understood the man, who is originally from an Eastern European country, has been residing in Ireland for some time, and gardai do have mental health concerns regarding this incident. One officer was minorly injured in the course of the arrest, before the man was apprehended and disarmed. The man was taken to Blackrock Garda station where he was subsequently charged with assault. The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week He has also been charged under the Public Order Act and with possession of a weapon. He remains in Garda custody and is set to appear in court on Monday morning. The injured Garda was taken to hospital and has since been discharged. In a statement about the incident gardai said: 'Gardaí at Blackrock responded to reports of a male in possession of a sword in the Ballyogan area of Dublin shortly after 1:30am on Sunday, 3rd July 2025. The individual, a male in his 40s, was arrested and has since been charged in connection with the incident. He is expected to appear before the Courts (CCJ 2) on Monday, 4th August 2025. 'A member of An Garda Síochána (male) sustained an injury while responding and was taken to hospital for assessment. He has since been discharged. As the matter is now before the courts, An Garda Síochána is not providing further information at this time.' Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.


Irish Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Spain holiday horror as Irish tourists battered by gang in late-night ambush
Two Irish tourists were left with facial fractures and other injuries after being attacked by a teenage gang of armed robbers in a Costa del Sol holiday resort. They were assaulted as they walked back to their hotel in the picturesque town of Nerja around 30 miles east of Malaga after a boozy night out. Police are understood to have identified the suspects as four local youngsters believed to include a minor. It was not immediately clear this morning if the Civil Guard has made any arrests. The mugging happened in the early hours of Friday morning. Respected local paper Sur said the culprits threatened their victims with a knife before repeatedly punching and kicking them and fleeing with stolen cash and mobile phones. It described the attack as so "violent" remains of blood were left spattered on a residential property by where the mugging took place. Police were alerted by local residents who heard screams and shouting. The Irish holidaymakers, who were said to have been unable to defend themselves properly from the blows they received because they were drunk, reportedly each suffered several facial fractures among other injuries. They were taken to a nearby health centre and are thought to have been transferred afterwards to hospital. The Civil Guard in Malaga has not yet made any official comment about the incident. Nerja is the easternmost town on the Costa del Sol and is known for its beautiful beaches and its caves stretching for almost five kilometres which are one of Spain's major tourist attractions. In September last year a 29-year-old Irish holidaymaker ended up in a specialist hospital burns unit after a freak accident at a friend's wedding in the resort. She was seriously injured after being engulfed in flames when her dress caught fire on decorative candles as she was in the bathroom. Fellow guests dialled 999 after finding her semi-conscious at a holiday rental apartment. She was initially taken to a hospital in the nearby city of Malaga where she is understood to have undergone an emergency operation before being transferred to a burns unit at Seville's Virgen del Rocio University Hospital. For more of the latest breaking news from the Irish Mirror check out our homepage by clicking here