Sean McGovern to challenge legality of his extradition from Dubai on gangland charges
Olan Callanan BL, for McGovern, told the three-judge, non-jury Special Criminal Court on Thursday that Michael Staines's solicitors office will issue a letter to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) imminently, putting them on notice of an application.
Mr Callanan asked the court to set a date for a hearing. He added: "The fundamental concern is the legality, the propriety and the process which surrounded his arrival in Dublin."
On May 29 last, when McGovern arrived in Dublin and was first brought before the court, Mr Callanan said he was reserving his position on the legality of the process and the jurisdiction of the non-jury court.
Sean Gillane SC, for the DPP, told the court that a first book of evidence relating to the charges against McGovern will be ready by the end of July. The DPP will update the court on a second book of evidence at a later date.
McGovern viewed Thursday's proceedings via video-link from prison. He spoke only to confirm that he could hear what was being said.
Ms Justice Karen O'Connor agreed to set a date for hearing McGovern's application on Wednesday, June 18. McGovern will again appear by video-link rather than in person. The court set a date in late July for service of the book of evidence.
An Irish Air Corps Casa 295 plane took McGovern from Dubai to Dublin last week, stopping off in Larnaca in Cyprus and Marseille in France to refuel.
He landed at Casement Aerodrome in west Dublin, before gardaí brought him before the Special Criminal Court where he was charged with five offences.
McGovern, aged 39, with a previous address at Kildare Road, Crumlin, Dublin 12 is charged with the murder of Noel Kirwan on December 22, 2016, at St Ronan's Drive, Clondalkin in Dublin.
He is also charged with directing the activities of a criminal organisation in connection with the same murder between October 20, 2016, and December 22, 2016.
He is charged with directing the activities of a criminal organisation in connection with the surveillance of James Gately in preparation for the commission of an indictable offence between October 17, 2015, and April 6, 2017.
Another charge alleges that between October 20 and December 22, 2016, he contributed to or participated in activity intending or being reckless as to whether such activity would facilitate a criminal organisation in the murder of Mr Kirwan.
He faces a similar charge of facilitating a criminal organisation in a conspiracy to murder James Gately.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Daily Mirror
4 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Taxi driver jailed over possession of video containing child sex abuse material
A Wicklow man who has been jailed for 10 months for possession of a video containing child sex abuse material appeared to have carried out the offence in the hope he would be "rumbled", a court has heard. Keith Reilly (57), a taxi driver and married father of two from Upper Grattan Park, Kindlestown Lower, Greystones, Co Wicklow pleaded guilty to possession of the offending material contrary to Section 6 (1) of the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act 1998. A sitting of Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court on Thursday heard that gardai were alerted to the existence of a video in a Dropbox account in Reilly's name by the US-based National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children. Detective Garda Dara McEvoy gave evidence of seizing a mobile phone during a search of the defendant's home on July 2, 2021. Det Garda McEvoy said no child pornographic imagery was detected on the device but gardaí were "extremely concerned" about the content and tone of a conversation between Reilly and another individual about young children in an exchange on WhatsApp. He told counsel for the DPP, James Kelly BL, that files in a Dropbox account belonging to the defendant could not be opened but two videos containing 'Category 1' child sex abuse material were subsequently found in it with the assistance of authorities in the US. Evidence was heard that one video contained a recording of children engaged in sexual activity while the other depicted a naked boy masturbating. Det Garda McEvoy agreed with Mr Kelly that the WhatsApp conversation in itself constituted an offence under the legislation but the court heard that no prosecution had been entered in relation to it. The court heard that Reilly had no other previous convictions apart from some road traffic offences from 20 years ago. Cross-examined by defence counsel, Barry White SC, Det Garda McEvoy said he was aware that the accused had complained to gardaí in the past about being sexually abused as a child. Det Garda McEvoy said he understood that a file on the complaint had been forwarded to the DPP who had directed that there should be no prosecution. The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week Mr White observed that the defendant felt a proper Garda investigation had never occurred into the matter. The barrister said Reilly's offence seemed to be "an endeavour to bring the matter into the open." Judge John Martin acknowledged that the offence related to a small amount of material when some similar cases involved hundreds of videos. He also accepted that Reilly had cooperated with gardaí and entered an early guilty plea, while there was no evidence he had engaged in the offending behaviour over any prolonged period. However, Judge Martin said he was somewhat concerned that Reilly was the father of two teenage girls given the nature of the offence who had also shown no empathy or remorse. The judge said he disagreed with the view of both the defendant and his wife, that it was a victimless crime. "Young people were exploited for the sexual pleasure of others," the judge remarked. "Innocent children were exploited by someone making money out of them." Judge Martin said Reilly's claim that he was not motivated by any sexual desire but was calculated to bring himself "into the spotlight" was "a difficult pill to swallow." The judge said it seemed like the defendant hoped he would be "rumbled" which he found difficult to rationalise. He observed that Reilly had a difficult childhood which no child should have to endure "no more than the children in the video you were watching." The judge said he had been assessed at a low risk of offending although a psychologist believed such an assessment was likely to underestimate the risk due to the defendant's "limited disclosure." Sentencing Reilly to 14 months in prison, Judge Martin suspended the final four months on condition that he places himself under the supervision of the Probation Service and complies with any directions given to him for a period of 12 months after his release from prison. Another charge relating to possession of the other video was taken into consideration. Sign up to the Irish Mirror's Courts and Crime newsletter here and get breaking crime updates and news from the courts direct to your inbox.
Irish Examiner
5 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Cork teen accused of falling asleep in bed during burglary
A teenager who is accused of trying to burgle a neighbour's house in Mahon to steal a television and Playstation from a bedroom and then lying down and falling asleep asked the judge by video link from prison: 'Could you not make it peremptory?' Judge Mary Dorgan said to 19-year-old Michael Harrington of Ravensdale Rd, Mahon, Cork: 'Good try, but no'. The judge explained that the case only dated back to May 31. Sergeant John Dineen said directions were still awaited from the Director of Public Prosecutions. Eddie Burke solicitor represented the teenager at Cork District Court as the case was adjourned for DPP directions until July 31. A peremptory adjournment could have resulted in the case being struck out if there was no progress by the next date. Det Sgt Niall Hayes objected to bail previously saying: 'It is alleged that on May 31, 2025, Michael Harrington entered a house at Ravensdale Rd without permission of the home owner. 'He proceeded to ransack a bedroom in the house and place a Playstation and Playstation games and a television in a bag by the bedroom door. 'He then fell asleep on the bed and was found there by neighbours who are related to the owner. 'He admitted attempting to steal, before falling asleep in the bed. 'At the time of his arrest he was found hiding in the attic of his home. 'He is addicted to prescribed tablets and has a substantial drug debt from cocaine and cannabis use. 'It is the garda belief that if given bail, Michael (Mikey) Harrington will continue to commit serious offences to pay for his drug addiction.' Mr Burke said the teenager really wanted to rehabilitate. Judge Dorgan said that for now the safest place for him to be was in prison and to get help on his release.
Sunday World
5 hours ago
- Sunday World
Man accused of assaulting retired judge remains in custody after being refused bail
At Ennis District Court, Jamie O'Connor was making his fourth appearance in court concerning the charge that he assaulted retired district court judge, Joseph Mangan The County Clare man charged in connection with the alleged street assault of a retired district court judge remains on remand in custody after being refused bail in the High Court, a court has heard. At Ennis District Court, Jamie O'Connor was making his fourth appearance in court concerning the charge that he assaulted retired district court judge, Joseph Mangan on Saturday, June 14th. Mr O'Connor (44) of Laurel Lodge, Clare Rd, Ennis has been in custody since June 18th after Judge Alec Gabbett refused an application for bail. Mr O'Connor subsequently made an application for bail to the High Court and Sgt John Burke at Ennis District Court has told Judge Gabbett that the application was refused. Sgt Burke said that there is progress in the investigation. He said that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) directions are not yet available but that the file in the case is ready to be submitted with the DPP. He said that Gardai have also obtained a medical report on the alleged injured party. In connection with the alleged assault, it is alleged that Mr O'Connor - who was appearing via video link from Limerick prison - told the former judge 'you put in jail for nothing' before allegedly punching him outside an Ennis cafe. The retired judge - now in his early 80s - served as a judge for 27 years and was the assigned district court judge for Clare from 2001 to October 2011 when he retired at the age of 67. In the case, Mr O'Connor is charged with the assault causing harm of Joseph Mangan at Barrack Court, Ennis contrary to Section 3 of the Non Fatal Offences Against the Person Act on June 14th. At a contested bail hearing on June 18th, Judge Gabbett said: 'This is an extremely serious alleged offence where a retired district court judge now into his 80s was allegedly assaulted for carrying out a public duty when he was a judge.' Sgt John Burke told the bail hearing that at 2.25pm on June 14th, Mr Mangan was sitting outside the Gourmet Store on Barrack Court in Ennis having a coffee. Sgt Burke said that it will be alleged that Mr O'Connor approached Mr Mangan 'and told him aggressively 'you put me in jail for nothing'. Sgt Burke said: 'Following a brief interaction it is alleged that Mr O'Connor stood up and punched Mr Mangan.' Sgt Burke said that Mr O'Connor then fled the scene in the direction of O'Connell Street. He said that Mr Mangan went to the local injuries unit in Ennis where he was treated for possible concussion and dizziness. Sgt Burke said that Mr Mangan made a statement to local Gardai. Sgt Burke said that Mr O'Connor was later arrested where he made no admissions 'and blamed alcohol for his memory loss'. Mr O'Connor (44) of Laurel Lodge, Clare Rd, Ennis is also charged with on June 15th stealing three X cans of beer valued at €11.40 from Dunnes Stores, O'Connell Street, Ennis. The alleged theft occurred one day after Mr O'Connor is alleged to have assaulted Mr Mangan. The High Court. Stock image/Getty News in 90 Seconds - July 24th
