Arrangements for the first-ever extraditions from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Ireland, including leading member of the Kinahan cartel Sean McGovern, will be finalised today by Irish Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee, in Abu Dhabi. This swift action follows recently agreed upon legal procedures between the two countries. Dublin native, McGovern, was apprehended in his Dubai residence a fortnight ago in response to an Irish extradition request.
Other high-profile figures of Irish crime residing in the UAE include founders of the Kinahan cartel, Christy Kinahan Snr and his sons, as well as cartel administrators Daniel Kinahan and Christopher Kinahan Snr. A notable drug smuggler from Donegal, who features prominently on the Garda’s radar, is also living there.
The Ministry of Justice revealed Ms McEntee was in Abu Dhabi on Monday for the purpose of executing dual treaties with UAE officials concerning “extradition and mutual legal assistance,” which received governmental approval the previous Friday.
The department noted that these agreements would serve to bolster cooperation between the UAE and Ireland in combating crime and ensuring efficient extradition. This significant development results from prolonged diplomatic negotiations involving the Irish Government and the UAE authorities, inclusive of intensified collaboration between the Garda and the Dubai police.
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has been visiting Dubai in recent times, amongst other activities actively liaising with Emirati Minister of Justice, Abdullah Bin Sultan Bin Awad Al Nuaimi.
Interpol had released a Red Notice against McGovern just over a week prior, essentially a solicitation to global law enforcement to detect and apprehend a suspect wanted for prosecution in a different jurisdiction. The subsequent day, the Dubai police arrested him in his living quarters, over two years subsequent to the disclosure that his extradition to Ireland was underway.
In April 2022, McGovern numbered amongst the seven men in the Kinahan cartel’s core cadre that US law enforcement agencies imposed restrictions on, targeting their financial activities and travel. McGovern is viewed as pivotal within the cartel, particularly close to Daniel Kinahan.
In relation to the 2016 murder of Noel Kirwan, 62, in Dublin, reportedly as part of the infamous Kinahan-Hutch feud, the Irish DPP ordered Sean McGovern be presented with the relevant charges. Additional accusations against him involve the orchestrated commission of organised crime.
The anticipated diplomatic agreement for deportation between UAE and Ireland is envisaged to substantially mitigate the potential legal complexities associated with deporting gang leaders. The assumption is that Dubai will be less appealing to senior level criminals from Ireland who have essentially sought refuge there, under the assumption that Irish law enforcement cannot reach them due to the absence of any forced repatriation agreements with their homeland.
The three highest targets for the Irish Police, namely the Kinahans, could only be deported if the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in Ireland initially instructs that they be charged within the country. The Irish Police completed an extensive probe into the Kinahans last year, and forwarded the findings to the DPP, with the final decision on the matter yet to be determined.