Sean McGovern launches fresh extradition legal battle after murder charge as lawyers raise ‘legality' concern
SEAN McGovern is to launch a court battle against the legality of his extradition from the United Arab Emirates last week.
Lawyers for the 39-year-old, who is charged with the murder of Noel 'Duck Egg' Kirwan in 2016 and with directing a criminal organisation, appeared before the Special Criminal
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Sean McGovern is fighting the legality of his extradition from the United Arab Emirates
Credit: Crispin Rodwell - The Sun Dublin
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McGovern has been charged with the murder of Noel Kirwan in 2016
Credit: Collect
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McGovern was extradited to Ireland last week
Credit: GARY ASHE commissioned by The Sun Dublin
McGovern, who was flown from
Olan Callanan BL, for McGovern, today told the three-judge, non-jury court that Michael Staines solicitors office will issue a letter to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) imminently, putting them on notice of an application.
Mr Callanan asked the court to set a date for a hearing.
He added: 'The fundamental concern is the legality, the propriety and the process which surrounded his arrival in Dublin.'
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Last Thursday, when McGovern arrived in
Sean Gillane SC, for the DPP, told the court that a first book of evidence relating to the charges against McGovern will be ready by the end of July.
The DPP will update the court on a second book of evidence at a later date.
McGovern viewed today's proceedings via video-link from
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He spoke only to confirm that he could hear what was being said.
Ms Justice Karen O'Connor agreed to set a date for hearing McGovern's application on Wednesday, June 18, when he will again appear by video-link rather than in person.
The court set a date in late July for service of the book of evidence.
An Irish Air Corps Casa 295 plane took McGovern from Dubai to Dublin last week, stopping off in Larnaca in
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He landed at Casement Aerodrome in west Dublin, before
McGovern, with a previous address at Kildare Road, Crumlin, Dublin 12 is charged with the murder of Noel Kirwan on December 22, 2016 at St Ronan's Drive, Clondalkin in Dublin.
He 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.
OTHER CHARGES
He is charged with directing the activities of a criminal organisation in connection with the surveillance of James 'Mago' Gately in preparation for the commission of an indictable offence between October 17, 2015 and April 6, 2017.
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Another charge alleges that between October 20 and December 22, 2016 he contributed to or participated 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
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McGovern had been living in Dubai for a number of years
Credit: AFP or licensors
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