UAE chiefs extradited Sean McGovern to ‘polish' crime haven reputation, expert claims
Human rights lawyer Radha Stirling has warned that McGovern's extradition does not mean the UAE have had a change of heart when it comes to the rule of law.
Cartel chief Sean McGovern was extradited by the UAE in a bid to clean up their image as a haven for international crime bosses, a human rights expert has claimed.
McGovern spent his first night in a cell in Portlaoise Prison last night after appearing before a sitting of the Special Criminal Court.
The Drimnagh native did not speak as he was charged with five offences – including the murder of grandfather Noel 'Duck Egg' Kirwan.
McGovern was placed on an Irish military jet in Dubai on Monday evening after months of legal and diplomatic efforts to have him returned to face trial in Ireland.
Sean McGovern
News in 90 Seconds - May 30th
However, human rights lawyer Radha Stirling – who runs the Detained in Dubai group – has warned that McGovern's extradition does not mean the UAE have had a change of heart when it comes to the rule of law.
She said: 'This extradition is being used as a public relations exercise.
'The UAE wants to shed its reputation as a criminal safe haven, especially under pressure from Interpol, the FATF, and Western allies. But one extradition doesn't reflect meaningful change in a legal system that remains opaque, politicised, and lacking in basic due process.'
Ms Sterling founded the London-based Detained in Dubai group after she launched a campaign to help her friend who was jailed Dubai in 2008.
She continues to advocate for people jailed in the UAE and has campaigned to make the legal process in the UAE more transparent.
Ms Sterling claims the decision to extradite McGovern does not vindicate the UAE's legal system.
Radha Stirling, CEO of Detained in Dubai
'Extraditions from the UAE are rarely the result of impartial legal proceedings.
"More often, they are part of political or diplomatic bargaining. Quid pro quo arrangements that have little to do with justice. This makes it incredibly dangerous for anyone with business disputes, political enemies, or public profiles that might make them a target.'
She said she believes the decision to hand over McGovern was a bid to improve the Gulf State's image.
'The UAE continues to host high-profile individuals facing serious international scrutiny.
"Yet enforcement appears to depend not on the strength of evidence, but on whether the person in question is politically and economically expendable. There is no consistency or transparency and that should deeply concern Ireland and all countries engaging in extradition treaties with the UAE,' she said.
She added: 'McGovern's extradition will be used to polish the UAE's image. But the same risks remain, including arbitrary arrests, lack of fair trials, and politically motivated prosecutions. It is vital that Western governments approach such cooperation with caution and scrutiny.'
During a brief hearing in the Special Criminal Court, McGovern was charged with five offences following directions by the DPP.
Sean McGovern was shot at the Regency
McGovern was 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 Air Corps plane arrives at Baldonnell with Sean McGovern following his extradition from Dubai. Picture; Gerry Mooney
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.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sunday World
9 minutes ago
- Sunday World
Fed-up former gardaí reveal number one reason for leaving the force
Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan confirmed the feedback came from 39 voluntary exit interviews The woman attempted to bite a number of gardaí during the incident on Park Street. Fed-up former gardai have revealed in exit interviews their number one reason for leaving the force - they can't manage family life while pursuing a career as a cop. The revelation was made by the Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan as he released data from ex-members as to why they resigned. The two other issues have emerged: commuting and the distance between home and their assigned Garda station. The Minister confirmed the feedback came from 39 voluntary exit interviews carried out in 2024 and 60 by the end of April this year with former Garda and Garda staff members leaving. The woman attempted to bite a number of gardaí during the incident on Park Street. News in 90 Seconds - May 31st Mr O'Callaghan said, 'In 2024, 39 voluntary exit interviews were conducted among sworn Garda and Garda staff. As this is a very small sample, it is difficult to draw any firm conclusions . 'But among the issues cited by people who participated was that they found it difficult to maintain their career as a Garda while also managing their family life. "Commuting and the distance between home and the station was also a concern. 'In 2025 an exit survey was introduced to further extend the sample reached. Up to the end of April there were 60 responses. 'This survey will increase the capacity of the organisation to collate, analyse and act upon the data gathered from colleagues who have chosen to resign. 'These are still small samples but the objective is that over time it will help develop better understanding of these issues and in turn allow further adjustments where possible. 'I am aware for example that Garda management seek to locate new recruits within a reasonable commuting distance of their homes but this is not always possible to achieve in every case.' The Minister was responding to a Dail question from the Sinn Fein TD Matt Carthy. Mr O'Callaghan claimed the current rate of Garda resignations between 1-2 per cent is very low. He said this turnover rate is far below the UK level of 10 per cent, and the rest of the public sector in Ireland which is 10-20 per cent. The Minister also said resignations within the police in the United States, Canada and New Zealand are much higher than in Ireland. More than 280 gardaí have left the force within five years of joining since 2020 - 214 were male and 73 were female.
Irish Daily Mirror
37 minutes ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Man, 51, found guilty of attempting to kidnap Irish girl in France
A 51-year-old man has been found guilty of attempting to kidnap a 19-year-old Irish girl in a French village last month. José Siscar was sentenced to three years in prison earlier today, with the latter 18 months suspended for three years with a requirement to undergo psychological, addiction and alcohol treatment. He had been detained since April 4 – two days after the violent attack in the village of Beauvais in northern France, which occurred after he had gone for a drive after consuming alcohol and cannabis. The victim, who was not identified, had been on her way to Albania but was forced to stay in a hotel in Beauvais after her flight was cancelled. She had gone to a supermarket around 8:30pm when she was approached by Siscar. She was attacked with 'extreme violence' as he tried to force her into his Peugeot 807 but managed to repel the attack with 'strong resistance' thanks to her experience in taekwondo. The court was told that the Irish student was 19 but was 'juvenile-looking'. She had been 'spotted, followed and approached' by Siscar after he 'deliberately intoxicated himself with psychotropic drugs, alcohol and cannabis'. The prosecution claimed that he had hidden behind 'opportune amnesia' during the first two hearings in the case, but recalled on the third day that he had 'wanted a little company'. She cancelled her planned trip to a number of European countries following the incident and got the first flight back to Dublin. The court heard that she no longer leaves her house unaccompanied and has been too scared to return to university. 'She was going to explore Europe alone, now she doesn't even feel safe alone in the shower. Her future as a brilliant student has been destroyed,' said the prosecuting lawyer. She said the victim lives in fear that 'he will find her and finish what he started'. The assault was captured on CCTV and police were able to identify the licence plate of the car being driven by Siscar, which belonged to his ex-wife. Around an hour before the incident, he had brought food to his daughter, who noticed nothing strange about his behaviour. Sentencing Siscar to three years in prison with 18 months suspended, the trial judge also prohibited him possessing a weapon for three years, and required him to pay €8,000 in moral damages and €3,000 for his legal costs.
Irish Examiner
an hour ago
- Irish Examiner
Ireland lodges formal protest after Israeli gunfire near peacekeepers in Lebanon
Ireland has lodged a formal letter of objection with Israel after shots were fired near Irish peacekeepers in southern Lebanon. The incident occurred during a joint patrol by the Irish Defence Forces, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil), and the Lebanese Armed Forces near the Blue Line on Thursday. None of the Irish personnel – recently deployed with Unifil as part of the 126th Infantry Battalion – were injured. Óglaigh na hÉireann confirmed on Thursday that all personnel were safe and continued to monitor the situation in southern Lebanon. At the direction of Minister for Defence Simon Harris, a formal demarche was delivered to the Israeli government through the United Nations. Ireland described the incident, which took place in the village of Yaroun, as "completely unacceptable" in terms of the safety of peacekeepers and the execution of their mandated duties. 'These concerns are held at the highest levels' of the Irish Government and the Defence Forces, it adds. Tánaiste Simon Harris was briefed on the incident by newly appointed Chief of Staff, Brigadier General Rossa Mulcahy. Just before noon on Thursday, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) opened fire in the area where the joint unit was conducting peacekeeping operations. No injuries were reported. Mr Harris said: 'It's clear to me that the actions of the IDF were reckless, intimidatory, totally unacceptable and a clear breach of the international rules surrounding peacekeeping. 'I want to pay tribute to our personnel deployed with Unifil, who are operating in an increasingly volatile and tense environment.' Read More Hamas responds to US-led Gaza deal with offer to release 10 hostages
