Latest news with #Kinahan
Irish Post
5 hours ago
- Irish Post
Kinahan gang boss ordered to pay back 1.1m by NCA
THE British branch of the Kinahan organised crime group has suffered a major blow after its leader, Thomas "Bomber" Kavanagh, was ordered to pay over £1.1 million in confiscated assets or face an additional 12 years in prison. Kavanagh, 57, is already serving a 21-year sentence handed down in 2022 for overseeing the importation of Class A drugs worth an estimated £30 million, along with firearms trafficking and money laundering. This financial order was the result of a detailed investigation by the UK's National Crime Agency under the Proceeds of Crime Act. Authorities assessed that Kavanagh had profited by around £12.2 million through his criminal activities, although the recoverable amount was significantly less. The assets now being seized include his half-share in a heavily fortified mansion in Tamworth, Staffordshire; proceeds from the sale of multiple properties in both Britain and Spain; and approximately £150,000 worth of designer clothing, bags, and accessories discovered during a raid on his home in 2019. Kavanagh has three months to pay the sum in full. If he fails to do so, he will serve an additional 12 years on top of his current prison term. The National Crime Agency emphasised that this is part of an ongoing effort to dismantle serious organised crime groups by not only prosecuting their members but also stripping them of their ill-gotten gains. His associate, Gary Vickery, 43, was also subjected to a confiscation order. He has been directed to repay nearly £110,000 or face an extra two years behind bars. Vickery, who played a significant role in the criminal network, is currently serving a 20-year sentence. He was arrested in 2017 after NCA officers discovered a large shipment of drugs concealed inside industrial machinery at the port of Dover, which included 15 kilograms of cocaine and over 220 kilograms of cannabis. Both men were deeply involved in the Kinahan group's British operations, and authorities say they lived lavishly while profiting from the widespread distribution of drugs and weapons. The National Crime Agency has made it clear that such displays of wealth funded by organised crime will be targeted and reclaimed wherever possible. In a separate development last year, Kavanagh admitted to further charges after authorities discovered an attempt to manipulate the justice system. While on remand, he orchestrated a plan involving two close associates, Shaun Kent and Liam Byrne, instructing them to acquire and bury firearms so he could later reveal their location to authorities in a bid for a reduced sentence. The ploy was uncovered, and the three were sentenced to a combined 17 years, with Kavanagh receiving six years on top of his existing sentence. Officials from both the NCA and Crown Prosecution Service have underlined the significance of this case as part of their broader mission to disrupt transnational organised crime. They reiterated that these confiscation orders are essential tools in ensuring that convicted criminals cannot enjoy the proceeds of their offences and will face further penalties if they refuse to comply. The downfall of Thomas Kavanagh marks a major setback for the Kinahan cartel's British operations.
Sunday World
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Sunday World
Lilly Gerrard shows off baby in photoshoot after welcoming first child with Lee Byrne
She has now shared new snaps of Lila Grey in a cream-coloured knitted swing taken in what appears to be a professional photoshoot A thrilled Lilly Gerrard declared 'I can't believe you are mine' as she showed off new baby Lila Grey she had with Lee Byrne in a full photoshoot. Steven Gerrard's daughter gave birth to her first child earlier this month. Lilly had revealed she had given birth on July 15 when she posted a snap of her Dublin boyfriend Lee as he carried their new baby out of the hospital. She captioned the post: "2 becomes 3". She has now shared new snaps of Lila Grey in a cream-coloured knitted swing taken in what appears to be a professional photoshoot. In another picture the newborn lies with her eyes closed and a silver crown placed on her head. Lilly with Lee Byrne News in 90 Seconds - Wednesday, July 30 Lilly has carried on a family tradition, according to the Liverpool Echo, as her dad and his wife Alex gave all of their children names beginning with L. In addition to Lilly, Gerrard and Alex are parents to Lexie, Lourdes and Lio. Steven Gerrard has also embraced his new role as he recently shared a photograph of him with his Instagram followers on "grandad duty' while cradling Lila. Lilly revealed the news she was expecting a baby in January when she announced: "Our little secret. The best news, mini us is on the way." Gerrard was the first to comment when he added: "We can't wait. Great news and congratulations we love you." The couple's new baby Lila Grey He recently uploaded a post to his Instagram story as he wrote: "So proud of you Lilly", alongside a red heart emoji. Earlier this month Lilly shared a photo of her home decorated with balloons and flowers that she captioned: 'Welcome home Lila Grey. Love you so much.' She later shared a photo of her holding her baby's hand and wrote: 'So lucky to be your mum. My beautiful baby girl Lila Grey. Perfect.' Lilly revealed that she had given birth after posting a photo of Lee, who is the son of Kinahan crime boss Liam Byrne, carrying his daughter home from hospital. Other photos show former Liverpool captain Steven holding his first grandchild with the caption 'little angel'. Steven previously revealed that he was excitedly awaiting the birth of his first grandchild in July and that his phone screensaver was a photo of the baby's ultrasound. Lilly and Lee were inundated with messages of congratulations from well-wishers on social media, including from Claudine Keane, the wife of former Irish football star Robbie Keane. Lilly also shared a message of congratulations from Lee's close friend Nathan Biggie Little who has been previously described in the High Court as being a 'low-level' member of the Byrne Organised Crime Group. He wrote: 'Congratulations to my bro and Lilly on the birth of their baby.' The message was accompanied by a love heart emoji. Lilly (21) had revealed she was expecting a baby with Lee (25) who she has been in a relationship with for over three years around the same time that Lee's father Liam was released from jail in the UK. He had been sentenced to five years behind bars at the Old Bailey in London after pleading guilty to conspiracy charges related to a gun plot. He had been extradited to the UK in 2023 after his dramatic arrest in Spain. Lee Byrne, Lilly Gerrard Steven Gerrard have no involvement in any crime.
Irish Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Book of evidence served on alleged Kinahan cartel figure Sean McGovern
A book of evidence has been served on alleged Kinahan cartel figure Sean McGovern relating to the murder of Noel 'Duck Egg' Kirwan. 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
Irish Post
3 days ago
- Irish Post
Head of Kinahan gang in Britain ordered to pay £1.1m or face extra 12-year sentence
THE HEAD of the Kinahan gang in Britain has been ordered to pay more than £1m or face an extra 12 years in prison. Irishman Thomas 'Bomber' Kavanagh, 57, was jailed for 21 years in March 2022 for orchestrating the importation of multi-million-pound drug shipments with a street value of around £30m. Two years later, he was handed an additional sentence after admitting firearms offences. Kavanagh has now been ordered to stump up more than £1.1m following a Proceeds of Crime Act investigation led by the National Crime Agency (NCA). Another high-ranking member of the gang, 43-year-old Gary Vickery, has been ordered to pay back £109,312.90 within three months or face another two years in prison. "We will continue to use every tool at our disposal to target, disrupt and dismantle organised crime groups, deprive them of their assets and ensure they face justice," said Kay Mellor, Head of Operations HQ at the NCA. Fortified mansion Vickery was arrested in October 2017 after NCA officers seized 15kg of cocaine and more than 220kg of cannabis found inside a six-tonne industrial tarmac removal machine in Dover. Subsequent investigations showed Kavanagh was heading up the criminal enterprise, and he was arrested at Birmingham airport as he returned from holiday in January 2019. Following his sentencing, NCA investigators began looking into the gang's finances and assets for seizure under the Proceeds of Crime Act. Officers estimated that Kavanagh's criminal profits were in the region £12.2m, but recoverable assets amounted to £1,123,096.84. This included his 50 per cent share of his fortified family mansion in Tamworth, Staffordshire, money from the sale of various other properties in Britain and a villa in Spain, and approximately £150,000 of high-end bags, clothes and accessories which were discovered when his house was searched following his initial arrest in 2019. Vickery, originally from Dublin, was also subject to the Proceeds of Crime Act hearing. At previous hearings, orders were made to forfeit an Audemars Piguet watch worth £75,000, as well as just over €100,000 that was seized from a hotel room when Vickery was arrested. In October 2024, Kavanagh admitted additional firearms offences and perverting the course of justice after NCA officers uncovered a plan that Kavanagh hoped would reduce his prison sentence. Kavanagh directed associates Shaun Kent and Liam Byrne to purchase firearms and ammunition and bury them so he could reveal their whereabouts to NCA investigators. All three were jailed for a total of 17 years, with Kavanagh's six years to be served on top of his 21-year sentence. 'Untouchable' "Thomas Kavanagh was the head of the UK's arm of the Kinahan organised crime group, responsible for the importation and distribution of drugs and firearms, making millions of pounds in the process," added Ms Mellor. "He and his gang believed they were untouchable, but that proved to be their downfall. "Kavanagh and Vickery will be behind bars for many years to come and now have to pay back more than £1m to the state." See More: Kinahan Organised Crime Group, Thomas Kavanagh
The Independent
5 days ago
- The Independent
Notorious crime boss ordered to pay back £1 million or face extra 12 years in jail
A UK boss of a notorious crime group has been ordered to pay back more than £1 million or face more jail time, prosecutors have said. Thomas Kavanagh, 57, of Mile Oak in Tamworth, Staffordshire, will have three months to pay the sum or face another 12 years in prison, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said on Friday. Prosecutors estimate the Kinahan organised criminal group, of which Kavanagh was the head, smuggled drugs from Europe with a street value of around £30 million by hiding the products inside machinery. Kavanagh was sentenced in March 2022 to 21 years in prison after pleading guilty to drugs and money laundering offences. A judge sitting at Ipswich Crown Court on Friday estimated that Kavanagh and his associate Gary Vickery, 42, of Boundary Road in Solihull, West Midlands, gained £12,235,047 and £10,966,619 respectively from their criminal lifestyle, the CPS said. The judge ordered Kavanagh to pay £1,123,096 based on his current assets, which include 'his 50% share of his fortified family mansion in Tamworth, money from the sale of various other properties in the UK and a villa in Spain, and approximately £150,000 of high-end bags, clothes and accessories which were discovered when Kavanagh's house was searched following his initial arrest in 2019', a spokesperson for the NCA added. Vickery was ordered to pay a sum of £109,312 within three months, or face another two years in prison, prosecutors said. At previous court hearings, orders were made to forfeit an Audemars Piguet watch worth £75,000, as well as just over 100,000 euros that was seized from a hotel room when Vickery was arrested, the NCA added. Kay Mellor, head of Operations HQ at the NCA, said: 'Thomas Kavanagh was the head of the UK's arm of the Kinahan organised crime group, responsible for the importation and distribution of drugs and firearms, making millions of pounds in the process. 'He and his gang believed they were untouchable, but that proved to be their downfall. 'Kavanagh and Vickery will be behind bars for many years to come and now have to pay back more than £1 million to the state.' Adrian Foster, chief Crown prosecutor, said: 'Thomas Kavanagh and Gary Vickery are dangerous criminals in the organised gang world, importing millions of pounds worth of dangerous drugs on an industrial scale to the UK. 'This successful £1 million Confiscation Order demonstrates the prosecution team's commitment to work across borders to strip organised criminals of their illegal gains. 'We continue to pursue the proceeds of crime robustly and will return them back to court to serve an additional sentence of imprisonment if they fail to pay their orders.' In October 2024, Kavanagh was sentenced to another six years in jail after he and associates plotted to lead NCA officers to a buried stash of 11 weapons in a bid to secure himself a lighter prison sentence for his multimillion-pound drug enterprise. Running the conspiracy from prison, Kavanagh enlisted the help of his brother-in-law, 44-year-old Liam Byrne, and associate Shaun Kent, 38, in the plan to deceive the NCA. Byrne – who fled to Majorca after the events – was jailed for five years while Kent was handed a six-year prison sentence for their roles in the plot.
