Irish gangster Daniel Kinahan's right-hand man arrested in Dubai for Irish murder case

Daniel Kinahan's right-hand man , Sean McGovern, has been detained in Dubai.

The police in the United Arab Emirates have detained McGovern, who is wanted for murder back home in Ireland under a European Arrest Warrant issued in April 2022.

This arrest marks a significant milestone in the Garda's ongoing battle against the Kinahan cartel .

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McGovern, known to be Daniel Kinahan's most trusted associate, is sought for the murder of Noel 'Duck Egg' Kirwan - an innocent father of two who was brutally shot outside his Dublin residence simply because he was snapped at a funeral with Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch.

In a major press conference, Gardai announced the European Arrest Warrant against McGovern, which coincided with the United States Department of Treasury imposing sanctions on the leadership of the Kinahan cartel in April 2022, reports the Irish Mirror .

Believing he would be safe from extradition, McGovern fled to Dubai. Since then, the heads of An Garda Siochana have had several meetings with the Dubai police.

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McGovern, who was also injured during the infamous attack at the Regency Hotel in 2016, was identified as a key figure in a leadership role within the Kinahan organised crime group by the Special Criminal Court in January.

A non-jury court heard sworn testimony regarding the command structure and activities of the Kinahan cartel, as well as evidence that 33 individuals linked to the organisation, who were allegedly involved in planned violence and murder, have been apprehended by investigating gardai.

Detective Superintendent David Gallagher provided evidence in the trial of Michael Crotty, who is accused of facilitating the 2016 murder of Noel Kirwan by purchasing a mobile phone top-up for Sean McGovern.

In the prosecution's opening statement, Dominic McGinn SC alleged that Mr Crotty bought the mobile phone credit at a Spar shop in Naas, Co Kildare , on December 21, 2016, on behalf of Mr McGovern.

Detective Superintendent Gallagher confirmed that Sean McGovern is connected to the organisation, adding: "He is a significant figure within the organisation in a leadership role and is currently based in Dubai."

Earlier this year, the Garda Commissioner delivered a key speech at the World Police Summit in Dubai, discussing collaboration with global authorities to bring the Kinahan cartel to justice.

"It takes a network to defeat a criminal network. A striking example of this is the work that we've been doing along with international colleagues in the US, UK, Spain, Europol and here in Dubai to bring an end to the Kinahan organised crime gang," he stated. The Garda chief continued, stating that while many Kinahan cartel criminals had been convicted in Ireland, efforts to bring its leaders back to Ireland persist.

During his visit, Commissioner Harris, accompanied by a small garda delegation, also had the opportunity to meet with His Excellency Lt General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, the commander-in-chief of Dubai Police.

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