‘Kinahan lieutenant’ Sean McGovern sentenced to 24 years in prison

The charges relate to his involvement in the lead-up to the murder of Noel Kirwan, a grandfather who was shot dead in December 2016, and the targeting and monitoring of James Gately with a view to having him shot dead, which did not take place.

A sentencing hearing for McGovern in May heard that he wanted to apologise for the hurt as a consequence of his actions.

He had been extradited from the United Arab Emirates to face the charges.

At the Special Criminal Court in Dublin on Monday, the three-judge panel sentenced him to 24 years – backdated to his arrest in Dubai in October 2024.

After considering mitigating factors including an early plea, Mr Justice Patrick McGrath said the sentences for the separate offences should run consecutively.

McGovern was sentenced to 10 years for his role in directing activities relating to the planned murder of Mr Gately and 14 years for his role in the lead-up to the killing of Mr Kirwan.

Mr Justice McGrath said the established that McGovern was a senior member of the Kinahan gang, who was a “confidant of those in the higher echelons” in the organisation who placed a “high degree of trust and competence” in him. 

The judge said that the Kinahan gang was a “particularly large, well-organised sinister and dangerous organisation”.

He said the court had no doubt that McGovern, holding a relatively senior position of the gang, was fully aware of its identity, structure and nature.

Mr Justice McGrath said: “Mr McGovern knew in each instance he was directing preparations for murder and did so intentionally.”

'A lesson to those who glorify organised crime'

Afterwards, Detective Superintendent Dave Gallagher of the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau said: "The sentencing today of Sean McGovern is significant in holding to account a key person who was engaged in directing the activities of a violent criminal organisation engaged in a campaign of ruthless murder and violence which impacted so negatively on our communities and Ireland’s national reputation. 

"I wish to pay tribute to the Kirwan family whose innocent father, Noel, was brutally murdered, for no other reason except to portray power in the criminal underworld, by Sean McGovern, working with and directing others, who believed they were untouchable."

The detective superintendent said the conviction is the result of An Garda Síochána's determination to relentlessly pursue those that engaged in violent and threats to life. 

"I would like to acknowledge the professional and diligent work carried out by the investigators, and the support provided by our international partners, particularly those colleagues in the United Arab Emirates, as we all work in unison in our efforts to disrupt and dismantle national priority criminal organisations.

"Let the conviction and sentence of Mr McGovern today be a lesson to those who glorify organised crime and promote it as a way of life. There are no untouchables, and law enforcement is committed to the pursuit and prosecution of those who are the leaders, the decision makers and the facilitators."

'Was it really worth it Sean?'

Kristopher Kirwan, the son of Noel Kirwan, told reporters outside the Special Criminal Court: “Our dad was our safety net: a hardworking family man who spent our whole lives working two jobs so we would never go without.

“He was all we had. Our home and his arms was always open to anyone who needed help.” 

He continued: “The values he lived by — love, sacrifice, and generosity — are the foundation he left behind.” 

Referencing McGovern, Kristopher Kirwan said: “It’s heartbreaking to think that a man who has two children of his own, a man who himself survived being shot in the Regency Hotel could go on inflict such pain and torment on any other family.

“He watched and tracked our dad for nine long months with countless chances to walk away, to change his mind, and to choose a different path — but he didn’t.

“He and his partner flew the country shortly after, and in doing so lost a chance to stand at his own dad’s funeral.

“Was it really worth it Sean?”