'One of Ireland's most wanted' facing extradition from Dubai

Sean McGovern, 38, was arrested by Dubai police on Thursday

Extradition proceedings are under way in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to bring one of the alleged most senior members of the Kinahan organised crime gang back to the Republic of Ireland, global policing agency Interpol has said.

Sean McGovern was arrested by Dubai police on Thursday after the publication of an Interpol Red Notice in collaboration between Irish and UAE authorities.

The 38-year-old is wanted for charges including murder and directing an organised crime group.

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

On Thursday, Garda (Irish police) Commissioner Drew Harris described the arrest as an "important intervention".

"This has been a very long process and investigation involving international partners for An Garda Síochána," he told reporters in Cork.

In a statement, the gardaí also said it "welcomed" the arrest of an Irish national in the UAE.

"An Garda Síochána has developed major international partnerships in our efforts to target transnational organised crime groups," it said.

"Our relationship with the authorities in the United Arab Emirates is valued and one which we will continue to develop."

First UAE extradition to Ireland

The leaders of the Kinahan crime gang, which originated in Dublin, are believed to be based in the UAE.

It is understood Mr McGovern's extradition is the first one to take place from the UAE to the Republic of Ireland.

Ireland's Minister for Justice Helen McEntee warned "there is no hiding place" for those involved in organised crime.

"Many organised crime gangs think they can evade justice by crossing borders; they cannot," McEntee said in a statement.

"There can be no hiding place anywhere in the world for criminals."

Helen McEntee welcomed the latest development from the UAE

McEntee said she was "intensely engaging" with her UAE counterpart about deepening the criminal justice relationship between the two countries.

She added that "good progress" was being made in negotiations between Ireland and the UAE on bilateral treaties and mutual legal assistance.

Last October, Commissioner Harris met senior UAE police officers in Dublin as part of an international investigation into the Kinahan gang.

The delegation's visit came one day after Minister for Justice Helen McEntee discussed the possibility of a bilateral treaty on extradition with her UAE counterpart.

The previous month, Commissioner Harris had met authorities in Dubai to discuss ways to tackle transnational crime.

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 had previously offered a reward of up to $5m (£3.84m) for information on the three most senior members of the Kinahan gang

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.

On Sunday, alleged Kinahan gang member Liam Byrne, 42, from Dublin, was detained in Spain on suspicion of firearms offences after a warrant was issued by the UK.