Sean McGovern to spend first night in Irish jail as neighbour of evil double killer
A cell was prepared for the Kinahan Cartel's number 2 in Portlaoise Prison's A5 wing in cell 8 where he will be held as he awaits trial.
Extradited murder accused Sean McGovern is due to spend his first night in an Irish jail as a neighbour of double killer Yousef Palani.
A cell was prepared for the Kinahan Cartel's number 2 in Portlaoise Prison's A5 wing in cell 8 where he will be held as he awaits trial.
Measures were also taking place to secure his route to the exercise yard so he could not be targeted by drone equipment.
Contractors were brought into the jail to make alterations to the walkway at the last minute to cover it.
Yousef Palani
The cell next door to Palani, who horrifically murdered two gay men in Sligo 2022, is a far cry from the plush residences he has enjoyed since fleeing to Dubai in 2016.
McGovern was returned to Ireland today and brought to the Special Criminal Court where he was charged with the murder of Noel 'Duck' Egg Kirwan in December 2016 at the height of the Hutch/Kinahan feud.
Plan carrying Sean McGovern lands in Dublin. Photo: Collins
The 39-year-old was also charged with directing a criminal organisation involved in the conspiracy to murder Hutch associate James 'Mago' Gately.
Last minute preparations for his arrival were still underway at Portlaoise Jail as he appeared in the court this evening.
Palani was given two life sentences for the murders of Aidan Moffitt and Michael Snee who died within two days of one another. One victim was decapitated and both were stabbed multiple times.
He pleaded guilty to the murders and to intentionally causing harm to Anthony Burke who he stabbed in the eye.
He'd met his victims through a variety of social media messaging and gay dating apps.
Palani told arresting officers: 'I can get angry very quick' and said that homosexuality was a 'sin.'
Sean McGovern appeared in court this evening
News in 90 Seconds - May 30th
Dad-of-two Sean McGovern appeared at the Criminal Courts of Justice this evening amid a major security operation.
McGovern was arrested this afternoon at Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnel after arriving on a military plan that had brought him under garda escort from the United Arab Emirates.
McGovern is accused of the feud murder of Noel Kirwan (62) at St Ronan's Drive in Clondalkin, Dublin 22, on December 22, 2016.
It's believed Mr Kirwan was targeted after attending a funeral alongside Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch.
McGovern is further accused of directing the activities of a criminal organisation in relation to Mr Kirwan's murder from October 20 and December 22, 2016.
He is also charged with enhancing the abilities of a crime gang to carry out that murder between the same dates within the state.
The court heard that McGovern also faces two additional charges relating to a plot to murder James 'Mago' Gately, more than eight years ago.
He is charged with both directing a crime gang carry out surveillance of Gately, and facilitating a criminal organisation relating to the conspiracy to murder Gately between October 17 2015, and April 6, 2017.
McGovern was remanded in custody to appear in court again on June 5.
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