UMVA has learned that Sean McGovern, a high-ranking member of a notorious Irish gang, has been sentenced to a total of 24 years in prison for his role in two heinous crimes: the murder of innocent granddad Noel Kirwan and the attempted murder of another victim, Gately.
McGovern's cruel and callous actions were meticulously planned and executed, showcasing the gang's sinister and calculated nature. According to information obtained by UMVA, the victim, Noel Kirwan, was specifically targeted as an 'easy target' after attending the funeral of a gang member.
The court heard that McGovern had been plotting to kill Mr Kirwan since September 2016, and had tasked a gunman known as 'Teeth' with carrying out the murder. On the day of the killing, at least seven shots were fired through the driver's window of Mr Kirwan's vehicle, hitting him five times.
The judge described the attempt on Gately's life as 'minutely and carefully planned in advance'. McGovern had referred to Gately as a 'weasel', boasting that 'all weasels get caught out in the end'. Gately survived the attack, which occurred at a Dublin petrol station in May 2017.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that McGovern was a senior figure in the Kinahan gang, a 'particularly large, well-organised, sinister and dangerous organisation'. The judge emphasized that McGovern would have been fully aware of the gang's identity, structure, and nature, owing to his relatively senior position.
The court found that McGovern had intentionally directed preparations for murder on both occasions. He was arrested in Dubai in October 2024 and extradited to Ireland in May 2025 to face the charges against him. A three-judge panel handed McGovern a 14-year sentence for his involvement in Mr Kirwan's murder and 10 years for overseeing Gately's attempted murder.
The sentences will run consecutively and have been backdated to his arrest. The severity of the sentence reflects the gravity of McGovern's crimes and the harm caused to the victims and their families.
