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Family of 'Senior Lieutenant' in Kinahan Gang Write Letters to Court
McGovern admitted directing gang activity tied to the feud, including surveillance linked to a murder and a blocked attempted shooting.
- Senior Kinahan cartel figure Sean McGovern appeared at the Special Criminal Court on Friday for a sentencing hearing, having pleaded guilty to directing criminal organization activities linked to the 2016 murder of Noel Kirwan and surveillance of James Gately.
- The Kinahan cartel targeted the 62-year-old grandfather Noel Kirwan as a "soft target" because he was photographed at a Hutch family funeral, while McGovern directed surveillance of rival gang member James Gately in preparation for a serious offense.
- Forensic evidence including DNA on a laptop and tracker instructions linked McGovern to the murder plot, and barrister Michael Bowman stated McGovern "expressly instructed apology to all those who have been impacted and harmed as a result of his actions."
- Defense counsel Michael Bowman argued McGovern deserved credit for time served in the UAE, describing conditions as "more onerous and difficult" than in Ireland, and submitted he served as a "senior lieutenant" three tiers below Kinahan leadership.
- Mr Justice Patrick McGrath scheduled sentencing for June 8, when each charge of directing a criminal organization carries a maximum of life imprisonment; the court agreed to a 25% reduction for McGovern's early guilty plea.
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Total News Sources15
Leaning Left7Leaning Right1Center4Last UpdatedBias Distribution59% Left
Bias Distribution
- 59% of the sources lean Left
59% Left
L 59%
C 33%
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