Sean McGovern Receives 24-Year Prison Sentence for Directing Kinahan Organised Crime Activities

Sean McGovern, identified as a senior figure in the Kinahan organised crime group, received a 24-year prison sentence from the Special Criminal Court in Dublin. The non-jury court, composed of three judges, delivered its ruling on Monday morning.

McGovern pleaded guilty to two charges of directing the activities of a criminal organisation. One charge concerns the murder of Noel Kirwan, which occurred between 20 October and 20 December 2016. The second charge relates to the surveillance of James Gately, a member of the rival Hutch gang, between 17 October 2015 and 6 April 2017, in preparation for a serious offence.

The court imposed a 10-year sentence for the offence connected to Gately and a 14-year sentence for the Kirwan-related offence. These sentences are to be served consecutively and will be backdated to account for McGovern’s period in custody in Dubai. The Kinahan group has been subject to sanctions by the United States.

Judges Patrick McGrath, Sarah Berkeley, and Fiona Lydon presided over the case.