Sean McGovern, who is allegedly a member of the notorious Kinahan Organized Crime Group, was charged in Dublin on Thursday evening, May 29, after he was extradited from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
McGovern, 39, is facing five charges, including the murder of Christopher 'Noel' Kirwan in Clondalkin, Dublin on December 22, 2016.
McGovern is also charged with directing the activities of a criminal organization in relation to Kirwan’s murder, as well as facilitating the murder of Kirwan between October 20 and December 22 in 2016.
McGovern is also charged with directing the activities of a criminal organisation in relation to monitoring the activity of James Gately.
He is further charged with facilitating a conspiracy to murder Gately.
Dublin native McGovern was arrested by Dubai Police in the UAE following cooperation via INTERPOL on October 10, 2024.
In a statement at the time, INTERPOL said it was alleged that McGovern was a "high-ranking member of the Kinahan Organized Crime Group" and that he was "wanted for charges including murder and directing an organized crime group."
The Irish man was held in the UAE pending extradition proceedings.
McGovern had been subject to an INTERPOL Red Notice, or international wanted persons alert, to support the ongoing collaboration between Irish and UAE authorities.
Major arrest: Sean McGovern, one of Ireland’s most wanted fugitives and alleged high-ranking member of the Kinahan Organized Crime Group has been arrested in the UAE on an INTERPOL #RedNotice.
Read more🔗➡️ https://t.co/Dc65hJ66u9 pic.twitter.com/vxdhH8b0pF
— INTERPOL (@INTERPOL_HQ) October 11, 2024
Prior to his arrest in the UAE in October, An Garda Síochána announced on in April 2022 that a European Arrest Warrant had been issued for McGovern relating to offences of murder and directing and participating in a criminal organization.
The same day the European Arrest Warrant was issued for McGovern, the US Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced that it would be imposing financial sanctions on the "notorious" Kinahan Organized Crime Group.
Designating McGovern as a 'Kinahan Associate,' the OFAC said at the time: "Irish national Sean Gerard McGovern (Sean McGovern), currently based in Dubai, was designated for materially assisting, sponsoring, or providing financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, Daniel Kinahan.
"McGovern is Daniel Kinahan’s advisor and closest confidant, and evidence indicates that all dealings with Daniel Kinahan go through Sean McGovern.
"Sean McGovern also has managed communications on behalf of Daniel Kinahan, and he sells multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine."
An Garda Síochána seek the public's help in establishing the whereabouts of 36 year old Kinahan Crime Group member Sean McGovern.
A European Arrest Warrant has been issued for his arrest relating to offences of Murder and Directing & Participating in a Criminal Organisation. pic.twitter.com/QxricY7AAN
— Garda Info (@Gardaínfo) April 12, 2022
On Wednesday, reports emerged that McGovern was being extradited from the UAE back to Ireland. RTÉ News noted on Thursday that McGovern is the first person to be extradited from the UAE to Ireland.
On Thursday, An Garda Síochána's Deputy Commissioner (Acting Commissioner) Shawna Coxon commented on the "live, ongoing extradition operation," but did not mention McGovern by name, noting that she was "constrained" as to what she could say at the time.
"However, I would like to acknowledge this is another significant development in on our continued work with international law enforcement partners to disrupt and dismantle transnational organised crime gangs," Coxon said during a meeting of the Policing and Community Safety Authority (PCSA) in Dublin.
"This work has involved extensive meetings by Senior Garda Officers here and abroad with international law enforcement partners, as well as highly detailed and intricate investigative work with those partners.
"This has been supported by our network of Garda Liaison Officers stationed in key locations abroad.
"This work is not possible without the assistance of the Department of Justice, the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Director of Public Prosecutions.
"I want to particularly thank the Ministry of Justice at a judicial level in the United Arab Emirates. Our police-to-police co-operation globally is critical to the dismantling of organised crime.
"Transnational organised crime gangs cause misery to communities not only in Ireland but throughout the world.
"They engage in murder, human trafficking and drug dealing.
"Tackling these gangs not only makes Ireland safer, but all the other countries they operate in as well.”
In a press briefing later on Thursday, Coxon provided an update, but again did not mention McGovern by name.
"Following an extradition from the United Arab Emirates at the request of the Irish authorities, a male was arrested today by Gardaí and will be brought before a sitting of the Special Criminal Court," Coxon told reporters.
"The male had been the subject of an Interpol Red Notice.
"An Garda Síochána has developed major international partnerships in our efforts to target transnational organized crime groups.
"Our relationship with authorities across the world, including with the Ministry of Justice at judicial level in the United Arab Emirates, and on a police-to-police basis, is valued and one which we will continue to develop. This relationship has been supported by Irish governmental and diplomatic efforts.
"I wish to thank the Irish Air Corps for their valued cooperation in this operation.
"Transnational organized crime groups cause misery, not only in Ireland, but throughout the world.
"We will continue in our effort, along with international partners, to disrupt and dismantle these groups."
#KeepingPeopleSafe pic.twitter.com/ayTLSU6RiK
— Garda Info (@Gardaínfo) May 29, 2025
McGovern appeared before judges Karen O’Connor, Gráinne Malone, and Elma Sheahan at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin on Thursday evening.
Detective Sergeant Donal Daly told the court he arrested McGovern at 6:38 pm at Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnel following the accused's extradition flight from the UAE.
There was no application for bail. McGovern was remanded in custody and is due to appear in court via videolink from Portlaoise Prison on June 5.
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