Latest news with #McGovern
Dublin Live
5 hours ago
- Dublin Live
'Textbook' decoy convoy brought Kinahan boss to court after extradition
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info The Defence Forces and Gardaí concocted a decoy plan to get Kinahan mobster Sean McGovern safely to court, it has emerged. The Irish Mirror reports that military officers at Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnel, south County Dublin worked with senior Gardaí to send two convoys out at the same time – but the cavalcade the media filmed was a dummy one. Sources say the real convoy carrying McGovern, 39, to the Special Criminal Court left at the same time as the dummy one – but from another gate. "It was a textbook military tactic," a source said. More than a dozen media and members of the public were camped outside the main gate of the Air Corps HQ when the fake convoy – consisting of an Audi saloon, a Skoda SUV, a Hyundai SUV, a Volkswagen Golf and a Volkswagen Tiguan – left at approximately 6:51pm to make the 21kms journey to the CCJ in central Dublin, where the Special Criminal Court is located. But, unbeknownst to the observers, McGovern was not in any of the cars. Instead, he was being driven out of one of the other five gates in the sprawling airbase – in a convoy made up of a black Audi Saloon, a black BMW SUV and a black Audi estate. No civilians witnessed the convoy that was actually carrying McGovern leaving the base. The convoy – including members of the heavily-armed Emergency Response Unit – arrived at the CCJ at 7.11pm. Sources have confirmed the Defence Forces and Gardaí worked together to launch the diversion operation. Sources said it was aimed at minimising the security risk to Gardaí involved in the convoy. It's also understand that the gate through which the real convoy left Baldonnel was only opened for 30 seconds – just enough for the cars to leave. A Defence Forces spokesman and a spokesperson for An Garda Síochána declined to comment. McGovern later appeared in court on five charges. He is charged with one murder and four gangland offences. He is charged with the murder of Christoper, aka Noel, Kirwan at St Ronan's Drive in Clondalkin in west Dublin on December 22, 2016. Mr Kirwan, 62, was shot dead in the driveway of his home. He was targeted by the Kinahan cartel after he was spotted with Gerry "the Monk" Hutch at the funeral of his brother Eddie Hutch in Dublin in February 2016. Mr McGovern is also charged with four gangland offences. It is alleged that between October 20, 2016 and December 22, 2016, he directed the activities of the criminal gang that murdered Mr Kirwan. It is also alleged that between the same dates he facilitated the crime gang's murder of Mr Kirwan. He faces a further two charges in relation to a murder attempt on James "Maggo" Gately, 36, a leading figure in the Hutch organised crime gang. It is alleged that between October 17, 2015 and April 6, 2017, he directed a criminal organisation in relation to the monitoring of activity of Mr Gately. It is further alleged that between the same dates, he facilitated a conspiracy to murder Mr Gately. He was remanded in custody to Portlaoise Prison. His next court appearance is June 5 via video link from the prison. Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
Daily Mirror
7 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
DWP to drop key policy under major benefits changes
Employment Minister Alison McGovern said the government was scrapping a key rule Under radical changes to the welfare system, job seekers will no longer be compelled to take any available job, Employment Minister Alison McGovern has said. MP McGovern announced that the government is discarding a pivotal rule that coerced people into taking unstable, poorly-paid jobs without considering their personal situation. She has promised long-term, bespoke career assistance—despite her department facing intense scrutiny over reductions to disability benefits. In a transformation of Jobcentre practices, Ms McGovern expressed: "One of the things that broke me was reading people say that they thought 'no one would want them'. I cannot live with the idea that there are people in this country who think that no one wants them." Job seekers will now receive encouragement to pursue "fulfilling" and secure professions, augmented by new technology like artificial intelligence to enable staff to provide more individualised and empathetic support, especially for those grappling with complex health issues or prolonged spells of unemployment. This news surfaces as Labour faces internal dissent due to slashes to personal independence payments (PIP) and incapacity benefits, with up to 170 Labour MPs set to defy or abstain from voting on the measures – an act that could embarrass Sir Keir Starmer's administration with a stinging defeat. Speaking to the Guardian, Ms McGovern acknowledged the concern: "I don't blame anybody for being scared or worried about it because given what's happened with changes to disability benefits before, I understand that.", reports MyLondon. Despite assurances to the public, the government has pressed on with benefit reforms that are set to leave many worse off. The Resolution Foundation, a think tank, has issued warnings that these changes could plunge more Brits into poverty, contradicting Labour's stance that the reforms will facilitate more people finding employment. Ms McGovern stood by the policy, arguing that those impacted would benefit from significantly enhanced support, which includes assistance from GPs and physiotherapists, as well as overhauled Jobcentre services. In ongoing pilot schemes, the typical five-minute meetings with work coaches are being extended to more comprehensive sessions designed to "see the whole person". The system encourages claimants to divulge their personal experiences so that bespoke assistance can be offered – this could mean pairing them with suitable employers or aiding them in maintaining employment once they have secured a position. "Nobody is ever going to make a film of I, Daniel Blake, but the reverse," Ms McGovern said, alluding to Ken Loach's poignant film about a man let down by the welfare system. "But what I would like is a person comes into the Jobcentre who has perhaps not worked for some years and ... they are given the time so that they can tell their whole story." The opposition has voiced scathing criticism of the Conservative government, accusing them of abandoning a gaping void in the employment support system. The Tories' method, Labour claims, is a centralised and overly bureaucratic approach that has failed to put a dent in joblessness. The government, however, has pledged to ramp up funding for employment support targeting those with enduring health issues. They've earmarked a cool £1 billion per year by the end of the decade, though the immediate allocation for the upcoming year is significantly more modest at £300 million. Labour, meanwhile, is outlining its own reforms. They propose leveraging cutting-edge tools like the " DWP Ask" AI to automate the more mundane administrative chores. By doing so, they aim to free up staff members to offer more personal, face-to-face guidance. To streamline the process, Labour suggests pre-filling forms before job coaching sessions. This, they believe, will make these meetings more effective and beneficial for all parties involved. Another area of concern is the engagement—or lack thereof—between employers and Jobcentres. At present, a paltry one in six employers interacts with these vital employment hubs. The minister is resolute in her determination to change this status quo. "The Tories used to talk about ABC: 'Any job, Better job, Career'," she reflected, before offering her own take. "I think that if you think about the career [first] ... If we can get people into an NHS job where they're more likely to move on and move up, then that is far better for them." The plight of young people, many still reeling from the psychological aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, is particularly troubling to Ms McGovern. In some instances, work coaches have had to chaperone young claimants to job fairs or similar public venues. This hands-on approach is crucial, she believes, in helping these young people overcome severe social anxiety. "Now, that tells me that there's an issue," she indicated. "We have to pay our debt to the Covid generation ... I worry particularly about young people, and I think there has not been enough discussion or understanding of what Covid took from young people." Despite divisions within her party, Ms McGovern underlined the essential nature of the reforms. She continued: "I don't blame colleagues for listening to their constituents who are fearful. But people will only stop being afraid if they can see that the system has truly changed. "The social security system can never overcome the sort of deep inadequacies that there are in our economy. What we need is to change our economy, make sure that people have got chances and choices and opportunity ... So I think these changes are necessary. I know that the job is much bigger than that."
Sunday World
8 hours ago
- Sunday World
Sean McGovern is in ‘complete isolation' in Irish jail after feud murder charge
'For now he is not allowed to interact with any other prisoners – he is in a single cell in a contained area where he will stay for 23 hours a day.' Kinahan chief Sean McGovern is on a 'complete isolation' regime in Portlaoise Prison where he was remanded to last night by the Special Criminal Court. The Sunday World has learnt that he is at the 'number one level of threat' within the entire Irish prison system and everything he does is being constantly monitored by prison officers. 'He is in a special area of Ireland's highest security prison –in time he will be moved to a different area within the jail but not out of Portlaoise,' a source explained. News in 90 Seconds - May 30th 'For now he is not allowed to interact with any other prisoners – he is in a single cell in a contained area where he will stay for 23 hours a day. 'He will be allowed one hour of exercise on his own if he wishes to take that up – this will be highly supervised and again he will not be given the opportunity to interact with other prisoners when this happens. 'What jail authorities are dealing with here are two very serious issues – one is the perceived threat against the individual from his enemies – namely the Hutch organised crime gang. 'His personal safety within the jail system is of profound importance to the State when you consider the magnitude and significance of the criminal charges he is facing. 'The other big issue here is that it has to be ensured that the individual is given absolutely no chance to embark on any criminal activity while in custody. 'In simple language he is in the most secure place within Ireland's most secure prison,' the source said. When contacted by the Sunday World a spokesman for the Irish Prison Service said: 'We cannot comment on individual prisoners cases.' Crumlin man McGovern (39) was extradited from Dubai and landed in Dublin on a military plane last night before being brought to the Special Criminal Court last night. He is the alleged highest ranking member of the Kinahan cartel to face charges here. He is charged with the murder of Christopher - aka Noel - Kirwan on St Ronan's Drive in Clondalkin, Dublin on 22 December 2016. He is also charged with directing the activities of a criminal organisation in connection with Kirwan's murder between 20 October and 22 December 2016, and facilitating Kirwan's murder. Separately, McGovern is charged with directing the activities of a criminal organisation in relation to the monitoring of the activity of James Gately between 17 October 2015 and 6 April 2017, both dates inclusive. He is also charged with participating in activity with conspiracy to murder senior Hutch gangster James Gately between those dates. McGovern was extradited from the United Arab Emirates via an Irish Air Corps CASA aircraft last night. He was detained in Dubai in October last year. It followed the issuing of an Interpol Red Notice. A warrant had been issued for McGovern's arrest in connection with the murder of Noel Kirwan in December 2016. The gang's leadership continues to reside in the emirate, although there are concerns that they could now move to a state more hostile to Western interests on the back of Mcgovern's extradition. The Irish Independent previously highlighted the cartel's close links to Iran.
Sunday World
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Sunday World
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.
Irish Daily Mirror
9 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
WATCH: 'Textbook' decoy convoy brought Kinahan boss to court after extradition
The Defence Forces and Gardaí concocted a decoy plan to get Kinahan mobster Sean McGovern safely to court, it has emerged. The Irish Mirror has confirmed that military officers at Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnel, south County Dublin worked with senior Gardaí to send two convoys out at the same time – but the cavalcade the media filmed was a dummy one. Sources tell us the real convoy carrying McGovern, 39, to the Special Criminal Court left at the same time as the dummy one – but from another gate. 'It was a textbook military tactic,' a source tells us. More than a dozen media and members of the public were camped outside the main gate of the Air Corps HQ when the fake convoy – consisting of an Audi saloon, a Skoda SUV, a Hyundai SUV, a Volkswagen Golf and a Volkswagen Tiguan – left at approximately 6:51pm to make the 21kms journey to the CCJ in central Dublin, where the Special Criminal Court is located. But, unbeknownst to the observers, McGovern was not in any of the cars. Instead, he was being driven out of one of the other five gates in the sprawling airbase – in a convoy made up of a black Audi Saloon, a black BMW SUV and a black Audi estate. No civilians witnessed the convoy that was actually carrying McGovern leaving the base. The convoy – including members of the heavily-armed Emergency Response Unit – arrived at the CCJ at 7.11pm. Sources have confirmed the Defence Forces and Gardaí worked together to launch the diversion operation. Sources said it was aimed at minimising the security risk to Gardaí involved in the convoy. We also understand that the gate through which the real convoy left Baldonnel was only opened for 30 seconds – just enough for the cars to leave. A Defence Forces spokesman and a spokesperson for An Garda Síochána declined to comment. McGovern later appeared in court on five charges. He is charged with one murder and four gangland offences. He is charged with the murder of Christoper, aka Noel, Kirwan at St Ronan's Drive in Clondalkin in west Dublin on December 22, 2016. Mr Kirwan, 62, was shot dead in the driveway of his home. He was targeted by the Kinahan cartel after he was spotted with Gerry 'the Monk' Hutch at the funeral of his brother Eddie Hutch in Dublin in February 2016. Mr McGovern is also charged with four gangland offences. It is alleged that between October 20, 2016 and December 22, 2016, he directed the activities of the criminal gang that murdered Mr Kirwan. It is also alleged that between the same dates he facilitated the crime gang's murder of Mr Kirwan. He faces a further two charges in relation to a murder attempt on James 'Maggo' Gately, 36, a leading figure in the Hutch organised crime gang. It is alleged that between October 17, 2015 and April 6, 2017, he directed a criminal organisation in relation to the monitoring of activity of Mr Gately. It is further alleged that between the same dates, he facilitated a conspiracy to murder Mr Gately. He was remanded in custody to Portlaoise Prison. His next court appearance is June 5 via video link from the prison.
