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Alleged Kinahan gang member extradited from Dubai

Interpol A composite image showing a picture of Sean McGovern - a man with short brown hair wearing a blue and grey zip up hoodie - on the left, on the right is the Interpol logo in white against a red background with Red Notice written underneath in a red font against a white background. His name 'Sean McGovern' is written in white with a red background underneath him.Interpol
Sean McGovern is wanted for charges including murder and directing an organised crime group

Sean McGovern, one of the alleged most senior members of the Kinahan organised crime gang, has been extradited from the United Arab Emirates.

He was arrested by Dubai police in October after the publication of an Interpol Red Notice in collaboration between Irish and UAE authorities.

The 39-year-old is wanted for charges including murder and directing an organised crime group.

Gardaí (Irish police) said a man was arrested on Thursday following extradition and is being brought before a sitting of the Special Criminal Court.

Mr McGovern is the first person to be extradited from the United Arab Emirates to Ireland.

Interpol described Mr McGovern as "one of Ireland's most wanted fugitives".

An Garda Síochána Deputy Commissioner (Acting Commissioner) Shawna Coxon said: "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.

Ms Coxon added that this work is not possible without the assistance of other bodies and thanked the Ministry of Justice at a judicial level in UAE.

"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," she added.

Who are the Kinahans?

The Kinahans are Ireland's wealthiest, most powerful and ruthless criminal gang.

It was founded by Christy Kinahan Sr, but it is believed its day-to-day operations are now controlled by sons Daniel, in particular, and Christopher Jr.

For more than 20 years, the group has been responsible for importing tonnes of drugs and firearms around the world, the National Crime Agency says.

The US Treasury Department previously described the Kinahan cartel as one of the most dangerous in the world, comparable to crime organisations such as Italy's Camorra, Mexico's Los Zetas and Japan's Yakuza.

According to Garda Commissioner Drew Harris, the gang is estimated to have made more than €1bn (£852,629,000) globally from its activities.

In April 2022, the US Federal Bureau of Investigations put up rewards of $5m (£3.8m) for the capture of the three men.