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Irish Independent
5 days ago
- Irish Independent
Senior Kinahan Cartel member Sean McGovern charged in Dublin court with murdering grandfather Noel Kirwan
The 39-year-old has this evening also been charged with directing a criminal organisation involved in the conspiracy to murder a rival gangster after being extradited from Dubai. The alleged offences were carried out as part of the Hutch-Kinahan feud which claimed up to 18 lives both in Ireland and abroad. McGovern, formerly of Kildare Road in Crumlin, is the most senior member of the Kinahan crime group to be charged before the Irish courts. A significant security operation was in place at the Criminal Courts of Justice on Parkgate Street with more than 40 gardaí, including senior investigators and armed detectives, present for the hearing. The father-of-two was arrested earlier today after stepping off a military plane at Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnell, west Dublin, that had brought him under garda escort from the United Arab Emirates. Detective Sergeant Donal Daly gave evidence of arresting the accused for the purposes of charging him and explained that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) certified that he should be charged before the non-jury court. The defence counsel said at the outset of the hearing that they were reserving their position in relation to the lawfulness of his arrest and the jurisdiction of the court. Sean McGovern is accused of the feud murder of Noel Kirwan (62) at St Ronan's Drive in Clondalkin, Dublin 22, on December 22, 2016. The grandfather, known as 'Duck Egg', was shot dead as he sat in his car with his partner in the driveway of her home. Mr Kirwan was not involved in the feud but was targeted after being spotted beside Gerard 'The Monk' Hutch at a funeral. McGovern is further accused of directing the activities of a criminal organisation in relation to Mr Kirwan's murder from October 20 to 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 Sean McGovern also faces two additional charges relating to a plot to murder James 'Mago' Gately, an associate of the Hutch gang, more than eight years ago. He is charged with both directing a crime gang to 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. The maximum penalty on conviction for directing a crime gang is life imprisonment, while McGovern faces the mandatory life sentence if found guilty of Mr Kirwan's murder. The accused appeared with a shaved head, wearing a grey T-shirt and grey tracksuit bottoms, socks and sandals. He only addressed the court to say 'yes' when asked if 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. A garda spokesperson earlier today said McGovern had "been the subject of an Interpol Red Notice'. "An Garda Síochána has developed major international partnerships in our efforts to target transnational organised crime groups. "Our relationship with authorities across the world including with the Ministry of Justice at judicial level in the United Arab Emirates, and on a police-to-police basis, is valued and one which we will continue to develop. This relationship has been supported by Irish governmental and diplomatic efforts'.
Irish Independent
5 days ago
- Irish Independent
Senior Kinahan Cartel member Sean McGovern charged with murdering grandfather Noel Kirwan in Dublin court
The 39-year-old has this evening also been charged with directing a criminal organisation involved in the conspiracy to murder a rival gangster after being extradited from Dubai. The alleged offences were carried out as part of the Hutch-Kinahan feud which claimed up to 18 lives both in Ireland and abroad. McGovern, formerly of Kildare Road in Crumlin, is the most senior member of the Kinahan crime group to be charged before the Irish courts. A significant security operation was in place at the Criminal Courts of Justice on Parkgate Street with more than 40 gardaí, including senior investigators and armed detectives, present for the hearing. The father-of-two was arrested earlier today after stepping off a military plane at Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnell, west Dublin, that had brought him under garda escort from the United Arab Emirates. Detective Sergeant Donal Daly gave evidence of arresting the accused for the purposes of charging him and explained that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) certified that he should be charged before the non-jury court. The defence counsel said at the outset of the hearing that they were reserving their position in relation to the lawfulness of his arrest and the jurisdiction of the court. Sean McGovern is accused of the feud murder of Noel Kirwan (62) at St Ronan's Drive in Clondalkin, Dublin 22, on December 22, 2016. The grandfather, known as 'Duck Egg', was shot dead as he sat in his car with his partner in the driveway of her home. Mr Kirwan was not involved in the feud but was targeted after being spotted beside Gerard 'The Monk' Hutch at a funeral. McGovern is further accused of directing the activities of a criminal organisation in relation to Mr Kirwan's murder from October 20 to 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 Sean McGovern also faces two additional charges relating to a plot to murder James 'Mago' Gately, an associate of the Hutch gang, more than eight years ago. He is charged with both directing a crime gang to 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. The maximum penalty on conviction for directing a crime gang is life imprisonment, while McGovern faces the mandatory life sentence if found guilty of Mr Kirwan's murder. The accused appeared with a shaved head, wearing a grey T-shirt and grey tracksuit bottoms, socks and sandals. He only addressed the court to say 'yes' when asked if 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. A garda spokesperson earlier today said McGovern had "been the subject of an Interpol Red Notice'. "An Garda Síochána has developed major international partnerships in our efforts to target transnational organised crime groups. "Our relationship with authorities across the world including with the Ministry of Justice at judicial level in the United Arab Emirates, and on a police-to-police basis, is valued and one which we will continue to develop. This relationship has been supported by Irish governmental and diplomatic efforts'.
Irish Independent
5 days ago
- Irish Independent
Senior Kinahan Cartel member Sean McGovern charged with murdering Dublin grandfather Noel Kirwan in Dublin court
The 39-year-old has this evening also been charged with directing a criminal organisation involved in the conspiracy to murder a rival gangster after being extradited from Dubai. The alleged offences were carried out as part of the Hutch-Kinahan feud which claimed up to 18 lives both in Ireland and abroad. McGovern, formerly of Kildare Road in Crumlin, is the most senior member of the Kinahan crime group to be charged before the Irish courts. A significant security operation was in place at the Criminal Courts of Justice on Parkgate Street with more than 40 gardaí, including senior investigators and armed detectives, present for the hearing. The father-of-two was arrested earlier today after stepping off a military plane at Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnell, west Dublin, that had brought him under garda escort from the United Arab Emirates. Detective Sergeant Donal Daly gave evidence of arresting the accused for the purposes of charging him and explained that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) certified that he should be charged before the non-jury court. The defence counsel said at the outset of the hearing that they were reserving their position in relation to the lawfulness of his arrest and the jurisdiction of the court. Sean McGovern is accused of the feud murder of Noel Kirwan (62) at St Ronan's Drive in Clondalkin, Dublin 22, on December 22, 2016. The grandfather, known as 'Duck Egg', was shot dead as he sat in his car with his partner in the driveway of her home. Mr Kirwan was not involved in the feud but was targeted after being spotted beside Gerard 'The Monk' Hutch at a funeral. McGovern is further accused of directing the activities of a criminal organisation in relation to Mr Kirwan's murder from October 20 to 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 Sean McGovern also faces two additional charges relating to a plot to murder James 'Mago' Gately, an associate of the Hutch gang, more than eight years ago. He is charged with both directing a crime gang to 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. The maximum penalty on conviction for directing a crime gang is life imprisonment, while McGovern faces the mandatory life sentence if found guilty of Mr Kirwan's murder. The accused appeared with a shaved head, wearing a grey t-shirt and grey tracksuit bottoms, socks and sandals. He only addressed the court to say 'yes' when asked if 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. A garda spokesperson earlier today said McGovern had "been the subject of an Interpol Red Notice'. "An Garda Síochána has developed major international partnerships in our efforts to target transnational organised crime groups. "Our relationship with authorities across the world including with the Ministry of Justice at judicial level in the United Arab Emirates, and on a police-to-police basis, is valued and one which we will continue to develop. This relationship has been supported by Irish governmental and diplomatic efforts'.
Sunday World
6 days ago
- Sunday World
Man banished to Cork after alleged slash-hook attack during burglary
Kyle Conway was charged with aggravated burglary while in the possession of a slash-hook and a bottle of suspected ammonia A man in his 40s has been barred from a midlands town after appearing in court charged with criminal damage and carrying out an alleged aggravated burglary while armed with a slash-hook and suspected ammonia. Kyle Conway (45) of Lakeland Drive, Mullingar, Co Westmeath appeared before a sitting of Longford District Court to face a series of charges resulting from an incident at 30 Greenpark Close, Mullingar, Co Westmeath on February 27, 2025. They included two counts of criminal damage, one of which involved damage being caused to a car with the other relating to the front door of a house. On the same date, Conway was also charged with aggravated burglary while in the possession of a slash-hook and a bottle of suspected ammonia. Conway, who wore dark tracksuit bottoms and a two tone hoodie top, stood impassively beside his defence barrister Christina Burke BL, as Detective Garda Brendan Hogan gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution. He said Conway made no reply to any of the charges and handed a true copy of each charge after he was brought to Mullingar Garda Station. A bench warrant for Conway's arrest was also executed when the accused failed to show up for a scheduled court appearance in Mullingar on May 1. A covered up Kyle Conway leaving Longford Courthouse. When pressed by Judge Bernadette Owens as to why he was absent, Ms Burke confided her client had been 'going through some personal matters', prompting Conway to interject to contend he had no option to stay at home that day. 'She (partner) was working that day and I couldn't go as I had to mind the kids,' he said. Giving evidence, Det Gda Hogan also revealed directions had been received from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for Conway to stand trial in connection to a separate violent disorder incident at Mill House, Canal Avenue, Mullingar on July 13 last year. He said there were no objections to bail, subject to a number of conditions. Kyle Conway News in 90 Seconds - May 28th They included requirements for Conway to stay out of Mullingar in its entirety outside of designated court appearances and to reside at an address at Chestnut Crescent, Bridgemount, Carrigaline, Co Cork. He was also ordered to sign on daily at Bandon Garda Station, obey a 9pm to 7am curfew and have no contact with the alleged injured party Lucy Dinnegan and her family, including via social media. Judge Owens, in reading out those list of conditions, also ordered Conway to refrain from associating with three or more persons in public at any one time and to steer clear of members of the Nevin/Myers families. Asked if he understood the court's order and the possible ramifications that could follow if he breached those terms, Conway simply replied: 'I do Judge, yeah.' Conway was consequently remanded on bail to a sitting of Mullingar District Court on June 12.
IOL News
26-05-2025
- IOL News
Ralph Stanfield R1 billion housing tender fraud: Police vow investigation is still ative
Alleged leader of the 28s gang, Ralph Stanfield. Image: Willem Law/File Police in the Western Cape said their investigation into alleged 28s gang boss Ralph Stanfield and others remains on course. This, despite the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) provisionally withdrawing commercial charges against the group on Friday, May 23. The charges related to a R1 billion housing tender fraud case. The group who saw the charges withdrawn included Stanfield, his wife, Nicole Johnson, former City of Cape Town mayoral committee member for human settlements Malusi Booi, and seven others. The scandal escalated during Booi's term in office, as accusations emerged that he, along with the Stanfields, had manipulated housing tenders to benefit companies under their influence. The allegations suggested a web of corruption aimed at misappropriating public funds intended for housing development. Malusi Booi appears in the Cape Town Magistrate's Court. Image: Ayanda Ndamane / Independent Newspapers The Western Cape police spokesperson, Brigadier Novela Potelwa, said this is not uncommon in complex investigations for the direction of the investigation to change in recognition of new and additional information that emerges as part of the investigation. 'It is not uncommon in complex investigations for the direction of the investigation to change in recognition of new and additional information that emerges as part of the investigation. Even in this case, when the commercial crimes investigators became privy to new information, that had to be incorporated into the investigation. Suffice it to indicate that it is envisaged that the commercial charges provisionally withdrawn will be reinstated in due course,' Potelwa said. Police have assured that the charges being provisionally withdrawn in no way indicate a failure on the part of investigators. 'Rather, a change in direction, taking into account the legal framework within which, as a law enforcement agency, the SAPS is compelled to operate,' Potelwa said. Western Cape for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson, Eric Ntabazalila, explained why the charges were provisionally withdrawn. 'Police discovered new evidence during their investigation, and it is apposite at this stage to provisionally withdraw the 16 commercial charges against the accused pending the finalisation of the investigation stemming from the newfound evidence. The State will reinstate the charges once the investigation has been finalised,' he said. [email protected] IOL Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
