The daughter of a murder victim has told a Dublin court that a Kinahan organised crime group lieutenant is 'stupid' for his role in the killing of her father. Noel Kirwan, 62, was shot five times outside his Dublin home on December 22, 2016. Sean McGovern, 39, has pleaded guilty to directing the activities of a criminal organisation in the lead-up to the murder and in relation to the targeting of James Gately in 2017.
Victim Impact Statement
In a victim-impact statement read to the Special Criminal Court, Donna Kirwan described the moment she learned of her father's death. 'What started as a normal day turned into our worst nightmare,' she said. She recalled her brother Kristopher's 'screams' when she confirmed the news over the phone. The family did not see Mr Kirwan's body until Christmas Eve. 'What was supposed to be one of the happiest days of the year for families was like being in a horror movie,' she added.
Ms Kirwan described her father as a 'hard worker' and a 'kind man' who never got involved in selling drugs. Addressing McGovern directly, she said: 'You were shot yourself in the Regency Hotel, you would have seen the fear and panic in your own family that day. Why would you choose to inflict that pain on us – it was Christmas.' She continued: 'You should have been out shopping for your own kids, not planning the murder of a 62-year-old grandfather.'
Ms Kirwan said her father 'would actually be offended that someone as stupid as you had him killed'. She pointed to DNA evidence left behind, stating: 'How you thought you were going to get away with it is beyond me.' She concluded: 'Not only have you destroyed our lives, you have destroyed your own.'
Evidence of McGovern's Role
Detective Sergeant Dolan Daly gave evidence linking McGovern to a 'burner' phone used in planning the attack and a tracking device placed under Mr Kirwan's car. A fingerprint matching McGovern was found on an instruction document for the device and an adapter plug for its charger. Mr Kirwan was targeted solely because of perceived links to the Hutch organised crime group, having been photographed at a funeral for a member of the Hutch family.
The sentencing hearing will continue on Friday. The charge of directing a criminal organisation carries a potential sentence of life imprisonment.
