A man described as a senior lieutenant in the Kinahan organised crime gang has been sentenced to 24 years in prison at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin. Sean McGovern, 40, pleaded guilty to directing the activities of a criminal organisation, admitting involvement in the murder of Noel Kirwan and a plot to kill James Gately.
Background of the Case
McGovern was extradited from the United Arab Emirates to face charges related to the deadly Hutch-Kinahan feud, which claimed up to 18 lives. He was once named by US officials as Daniel Kinahan's closest confidant. The court heard that McGovern oversaw planning and directed the murder of Noel Kirwan, a 62-year-old grandfather who was shot dead outside his home in Clondalkin in December 2016.
Noel Kirwan Murder
Kirwan was targeted because he was seen with Gerry Hutch at the funeral of Hutch's brother Eddie, who was killed by the Kinahan cartel. The court heard that Kirwan was not involved in criminality and was considered an "easy target." A tracking device was planted on his vehicle, and McGovern instructed a hitman, using the codename "Knife" in encrypted messages, to "put the teeth on the Duck"—a reference to Kirwan's nickname.
Plot to Kill James Gately
McGovern also admitted directing the surveillance of Hutch associate James Gately between October 2015 and April 2017. He ordered tracking devices to be placed on Gately's partner and sister, with the intention of having him shot dead. The murder did not take place.
Sentencing Details
At the sentencing hearing in May, McGovern expressed remorse, apologising for the hurt caused by his actions. However, evidence showed that after the murder of David Byrne at the Regency Hotel in February 2016, McGovern told other gang members, "They targeted us, this is personal on my baby's life I'm not stopping now." McGovern himself was shot during that incident.
The three-judge panel sentenced him to 24 years, backdated to his arrest in Dubai in October 2024. The judge noted that McGovern was a senior figure directing the gang's activities during a violent feud.
