A man described as a senior lieutenant in the Kinahan organised crime gang has been sentenced to 24 years in prison at Dublin's Special Criminal Court. Sean McGovern, 40, pleaded guilty to two charges of directing the activities of a criminal organisation in connection with the deadly Hutch-Kinahan gangland feud in Ireland.
Details of the charges
The charges relate to McGovern's involvement in the lead-up to the murder of Noel Kirwan, a grandfather shot dead in December 2016, and the targeting and monitoring of James Gately with the intent to kill him, which ultimately did not occur. McGovern was extradited from the United Arab Emirates to face these charges.
Sentencing hearing
During a sentencing hearing in May, McGovern expressed a desire to apologise for the harm caused by his actions. On Monday, the three-judge panel at the Special Criminal Court sentenced him to 24 years, backdated to his arrest in Dubai in October 2024. Mr Justice Patrick McGrath, considering mitigating factors such as an early guilty plea, ordered that the sentences for the separate offences run consecutively.
Specific sentences
McGovern received a 10-year sentence for directing activities related to the planned murder of Mr Gately and a 14-year sentence for his role in the lead-up to Mr Kirwan's killing. The judge noted that McGovern was a senior member of the Kinahan gang, described as a confidant of those in the higher echelons of the organisation, who placed a high degree of trust and competence in him.
Judge's remarks
Mr Justice McGrath characterised the Kinahan gang as a particularly large, well-organised, sinister, and dangerous organisation. He stated that the court had no doubt that McGovern, holding a relatively senior position, was fully aware of the gang's identity, structure, and nature. The judge emphasised that McGovern knew in each instance he was directing preparations for murder and did so intentionally.
