Senior Kinahan Cartel member Sean McGovern sentenced to 24 years in prison

Alison O'Riordan

Senior Kinahan Cartel member Sean McGovern, who "planned, oversaw and directed" the gang in the murder of an innocent grandfather and the attempted murder of a second man, has been sentenced to 24 years in prison.

The 40-year-old, who last summer became the first person to be extradited from the United Arab Emirates to face trial in Ireland, had previously pleaded guilty to a charge of directing the activities of a criminal organisation between October 20th and December 22nd, 2016, both dates inclusive both within and outside the State, in relation to the murder of Christopher, aka Noel, Kirwan.

McGovern, with a previous address at Kildare Road, Crumlin, Dublin 12 had also admitted directing the activities of a criminal organisation between October 17th, 2015 and April 6th, 2017, both dates inclusive both within and outside the State, in connection with the surveillance of James Gately in preparation for the commission of an indictable offence.

McGovern, who was injured during the infamous attack at the Regency Hotel in 2016, was previously named during a separate trial at the Special Criminal Court as "a significant figure" with a "leadership role" in Kinahan organised crime group.

More to follow