Kinahan crime cartel boss Sean McGovern has been arrested in the United Arab Emirates on suspicion of leading an organized crime operation in connection with the Kinahan-Hutch feud murder.
Irish authorities are seeking extradition to Ireland despite there being no extradition treaty between the two countries.
The Irish Examiner will bring Mr McGovern to a court in Dubai where a judge will decide whether he can be legally extradited to Ireland and whether such a decision can be challenged. I understand that it will become.
Mr McGovern is believed to be in second place after cartel leader Daniel Kinahan.
This arrest marks a major breakthrough in the huge Garda investigation into the Kinahan leadership and in securing the support of UAE police and law enforcement authorities to make such arrests.
Ireland does not have an extradition agreement with the UAE, but the Department of Justice began working on the issue last year.
The Irish Examiner’s report said UAE authorities were not acting on a European Arrest Warrant issued by the Irish High Court in April 2022 to prosecute Mr McGovern in Ireland, but rather that the Ministry of Justice issued a statement to the UAE equivalent authorities. The agency said it was acting on a recent formal request. .
A Red Notice issued by the international police organization Interpol is also believed to have played a role in Ireland’s request.
A Red Notice is a request for law enforcement agencies around the world to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition.
As reported over a year ago, Garda efforts have focused on Sean McGovern.
Unlike the Kinahan leaders, he faces criminal charges in Ireland, including murder, and a European arrest warrant has been issued.
Mr McGovern is wanted in Ireland for the shooting death of an innocent man, Noel ‘Duck Egg’ Kirwan, 62, in December.
It is believed that Daniel Kinahan then took McGovern to Dubai.
Gardai have also handed over a file to the DPP in relation to Daniel Kinahan on charges of leading a criminal organization.