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The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Sean McGovern tells court ‘I'm happy with that' after lawyers withdraw from murder charge case amid new legal team plan
LAWYERS acting for Sean McGovern have withdrawn from his case as the Kinahan cartel man told a court: "I'm happy with that." McGovern was before the Special Criminal Advertisement 3 McGovern appeared in court via video link today Credit: Crispin Rodwell - The Sun Dublin 3 McGovern was extradited to Ireland, landing at Baldonnell above at the end of May Credit: GARY ASHE commissioned by The Sun Dublin An application was granted which will see a new legal team challenge his "procurement" to Ireland. The 39-year-old accused was extradited from The court heard from barrister Olan Callanan BL who said both he and solicitor Michael Staines were seeking to withdraw from the case. He told the court that McGovern will be "otherwise represented", adding it would not "cause concern" for the accused who was fully aware of the matter. Advertisement READ MORE ON IRISH NEWS Mr Callanan added that it arose because McGovern "is in custody", but did not explain any further. McGovern was asked if he understood to which he put his thumbs up. However the three sitting judges wanted his microphone to be turned on and to hear from him. McGovern stood up and walked towards the monitor and appeared to turn on the microphone. Advertisement Most read in Irish News He politely said: "Can you hear me now? No problem." The CASE ADJOURNED UNTIL JULY Ms Justice Karen O'Connor granted the application, as Keith Spencer BL said Wayne Kenny solicitors were coming on record. Mr Spencer told the court that the new legal team planned to bring an application. Advertisement He added: "Whether it be in this forum or another, in respect of the procurement of Mr McGovern to this jurisdiction." The barrister explained they will give advance notice to the prosecution of any such application being made. Mr Spencer applied for extra senior and junior counsel, explaining it was an "extensive case" involving a "number of separate matters." Ms Justice O'Connor replied saying it "may be premature", adding that the legal aid position was not clear. Advertisement The case was adjourned to a date in July for mention. As Ms Justice O'Connor thanked McGovern over the video link, he replied: "Thank you." McGovern is charged with the murder of Noel 'Duck Egg' Kirwan at St Ronan's Drive in Clondalkin, Dublin, on December 22, 2016. MCGOVERN CHARGES He was shot outside his home after he returned home from Christmas shopping. Advertisement McGovern also faces a charge that between October 20 and December 22, 2016 he directed the activities of a criminal organisation to carry out Mr Kirwan's murder. And he is accused of facilitating a criminal organisation to murder the 62-year-old grandfather. McGovern is further charged with directing the activities of a criminal organisation to monitor James 'Mago' Gately's activities. And he is accused of facilitating a criminal organisation in the conspiracy to murder Gately. Both offences allegedly occurred between October 17, 2015 and April 6, 2017. Advertisement 3 McGovern has been charged with the murder of Noel Kirwan in 2016 Credit: Collect
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Laws needed on commercial delivery drones as Dublin residents turned into guinea pigs – they can't be pawns in tech race
WE are all used to politicians droning on in Leinster House, but last week it was drones of a different sort that was centre of a Dail debate. The chamber heard that 2 Dublin Central Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon warned Ireland is at a 'tipping point' in the roll-out of commercial drone activity Credit: GARY ASHE - COMMISSIONED BY THE SUN DUBLIN Several TDs raised concerns from their constituents on noise pollution caused by these types of delivery drones. Dublin Central Writing in The Irish Sun today, Gannon says the Government has not kept pace with the industry on regulation. Read more in News The deputy added: 'Commercial drone operators are scaling up fast and they're doing it in a regulatory void. 'That's why people feel unheard. And that's why the Government needs to step in. The question is simple — who is this technology serving right now?' IN theory, drones zipping through the sky with your takeaway order might sound like progress — the kind of futuristic convenience we are expected to be grateful for. But for the people living underneath them, it doesn't feel like progress at all. Most read in The Irish Sun It feels intrusive, it feels unregulated and it feels like something that's been dropped into communities without any real thought for those who live there. Right now, in parts of my constituency like Drumcondra and Glasnevin, drones fly daily above homes, schools, parks and playgrounds. Clearest vid yet of daring Op Spiderweb shows 35 Ukrainian bomb drones blowing up plane after multimillion dollar plane They come with a persistent hum that cuts through double glazing and disrupts life. This isn't the future — it's here and it's operating in a vacuum, without a shred of regulation on how it impacts people, our communities or even the environment. I raised this issue in the Dail as residents are rightly frustrated. They are not anti-technology. They are not anti-innovation. What they are opposed to is being turned into guinea pigs in a commercial trial that no one signed up for. A trial that is now unfolding directly over their homes. NO PROPER RULES There are no proper rules in place to assess or address how drones affect quality of life. The Irish Aviation Authority has said as much. While the IAA handles licensing and air safety, the 'how to fly' part, it has no remit over issues that actually matter to so many residents — noise, planning, environmental impact or how drones interact with people in dense urban areas. Take Drumcondra, for example. It was recently named as Ireland's first autism-friendly village. And that recognition comes with a duty to protect sensory and environmental stability. The repetitive drone noise — particularly from models using LIDAR (light detection and ranging) — cuts through that calm and undermines the work being done to make the community more inclusive for its neurodivergent residents. RESTRICTED ZONE And then there is the environmental risk. This part of the city is a vital urban wildlife corridor. It is home to protected bats and nesting birds, yet drones are already flying through these zones without any environmental assessments, with no permits, and without any oversight. That's not innovation — that's recklessness. When local residents met with the IAA, the agency acknowledged these problems and they proposed a practical solution — a temporary drone restricted zone. But for that to happen, the Minister for Transport must act. So far, however, there's been silence. COMMON SENSE APPROACH What we are asking for isn't radical. We're not calling for a ban. We're calling for common sense, for regulations to catch up with technology, and for communities to be protected in the meantime. If remote or rural areas want to pilot drone delivery services, that's different. But high-density urban neighbourhoods in Dublin were never meant to become airborne delivery corridors. Because the families in Glasnevin, the older residents in Drumcondra, the children with sensory needs and the communities trying to protect their local environment — none of them are asking for drone deliveries. LOCALS WANT PEACE They are just asking for peace, for quiet and also for someone to listen to them. Too often, 'innovation' is used as a shield. Raise a concern and you're labelled 'anti-progress'. But that's nonsense. Residents here have engaged in good faith with the drone operator, the IAA and with elected representatives. Their ask is totally reasonable — to be heard and to see their needs reflected in the rules. What they have received instead is silence. And worse, a sense that commercial interests are being waved through while the Government looks the other way. CONCERNS IGNORED We've seen this story before. Hype outpaces regulation, warnings are ignored and communities pay the price. Each time, residents were told not to worry. Each time, their concerns were justified. Communities should not be treated as afterthoughts in the race to adopt shiny new tech. Drone delivery might have a role to play in future. But only if the future is shaped by the people who live in it. 2 Ireland's skies could soon be as busy as our roads as drones deliver 'burgers and lattes' Credit: Getty Images - Getty
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Annie McCarrick latest as ‘obsessed' businessman chief suspect's ex pals face garda quiz and ‘public row' details emerge
GARDAI are planning to re-interview former colleagues of the businessman arrested over the murder of Annie McCarrick. The Irish Sun can also reveal detectives are examining claims made about 4 Annie McCarrick vanished from Sandymount in Dublin in March 1993 Credit: Collect 4 Searches of the house in Clondalkin, Dublin are still going Credit: GARY ASHE 4 Gardai are hoping to recover evidence that may help their probe Credit: Garrett White - Commissioned by The Sun Dublin The concerns were raised by one of his former associates and later passed to Annie's heartbroken family. Detectives plan to re-interview the suspect's former colleagues and pals after raising concerns about his alibis at the time the One source said: 'A plan is in place to establish the whereabouts of the suspect's former colleagues at the time of Annie's disappearance and reinterview them. Read more in News 'It's possible that through the passage of time that they might recall something that they might have forgotten about at the time. 'There are concerns over the suspect's alibis but any evidence at the moment is just circumstantial. 'One strand is that one of the suspect's former colleagues had concerns about his lack of empathy after Annie's disappearance. 'This person made it clear that the suspect didn't appear to be too grief stricken considering how much he was obsessed with Annie.' Most read in The Irish Sun We also understand that gardai have been made aware of a row the suspect had at a wedding in the weeks after Annie was last seen alive. The source added: 'He had a public row with a relative and gardai are trying to establish if this had anything to do with Annie. Gardai 'committed to uncovering the truth' of Annie McCarrick's murder and disappearance ' 'He had been violent in the past and at the time Annie just wanted to get on with her life.' At present, the search of a house in Clondalkin is ongoing. Gardai are hoping to recover evidence that may lead to the mystery being uncovered. FAMILY KEPT INFORMED Annie's family in the US are being kept informed of any developments in the case. US lawyer Michael Griffith, who represented Annie's later father John, told of his hopes she can be found, adding: 'I continue to hope that this latest strand of the investigation by the Irish authorities can lead to some closure for Annie's family. 'They have been waiting far too long to bring her home and to secure justice. 'They have done fantastic work over the years in keeping her case in the public eye.' 4 Annie's family in the US are being kept informed of any developments in the case.
The Irish Sun
6 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Annie McCarrick murder probe gardai check ‘suspect's alibi' as witnesses who knew missing woman & man reinterviewed
GARDAI probing Annie McCarrick's murder 32 years ago will reinterview witnesses as they analyse discrepancies in the murder suspect's alibis. The Irish Sun on Sunday can reveal cops will speak with those that knew both Annie and the 62-year-old businessman arrested in Co Advertisement 3 Annie McCarrick vanished from Sandymount in south Dublin in March 1993 3 A huge search and dig op is underway at a house in Clondalkin, southwest Dublin Credit: GARY ASHE 3 Gardai have brought a cadaver dog into the premises Credit: The interviews are set to take place across the country where witnesses now live, over three decades on from the New Yorker vanishing from Sandymount in south And as the investigation into one of Ireland's most infamous unsolved The suspect was arrested on Thursday morning, the first ever person to be lifted in relation to the case. He walked out the front door of Irishtown Over the course of those two days, a Advertisement READ MORE IN ANNIE MCCARRICK The invasive exploration of the The He made no admissions and is understood to have denied any involvement in Annie's As he resumes his life with his wife and Advertisement MOST READ IN THE IRISH SUN A source told the Irish Sun on Sunday: 'There are various strands of this probe as you can well imagine. 'One of the most pertinent elements is the suspect's various alibis given to gardai over the years. REINTERVIEWING THOSE WHO KNEW HER 'A number of witnesses that knew Annie and the suspect are being spoken to again. Some are now based around the country where they settled down. 'This is essentially to confirm their accounts of certain matters which will then be examined against the suspect's alibis.' Advertisement Since the case was upgraded to murder two years ago, much of the work has focused on the man arrested this week and another man now living abroad who was interviewed in recent years. Another source explained: 'The upgrade of the case has seen intensive work on it. "The gardai are absolutely determined to get justice for Annie McCarrick.' As revealed by The Irish Sun yesterday, Advertisement These have been sent for examination in a bid to glean any evidence from them. ASSAULT CLAIMS They are also investigating claims that the suspect — who was known to Annie — assaulted her while he was drunk in an incident prior to her vanishing. In Clondalkin, a mini-digger, a concrete saw, a kango hammer and other equipment are being operated by gardai who are carrying out The machinery is being used in the small front driveway and in the 100ft rear back garden. Advertisement A cadaver dog was also present on Friday and yesterday.
The Irish Sun
23-04-2025
- The Irish Sun
Heartbreak as tragic boy hit by car days after celebrating 4th birthday is laid to rest following emotional service
TRAGIC four-year-old car crash victim Abdur Rehman was laid to rest today. Little Abdur was Advertisement 2 Tragic four-year-old car crash victim Abdur Rehman was laid to rest today Credit: Collect through journalist 2 Hundreds of mourners turned out today for his funeral Credit: GARY ASHE Hundreds of mourners turned out today for the funeral of Abdur, who had only celebrated his fourth birthday at the weekend. Shocked locals joined grieving family and friends for funeral prayers at Mullingar's Islamic Cultural Society Centre. Heartbroken relatives told how Abdur was 'loved by all who knew him'. Following the emotional service, the little lad was later buried in Newcastle cemetery in Advertisement Read more in News The Islamic community was rallying around the youngster's anguished parents who have been plunged into mourning just four weeks after welcoming a new baby. The couple originally hail from Mullingar Cricket Club was among the groups issuing condolence messages. The club said: 'The club is extremely shocked and saddened to learn of the tragic passing of young Abdur, son of club member Pir Abdullah Naeem. Advertisement Most read in The Irish Sun 'Our thoughts and heartfelt prayers are with Pir and Mrs Abdullah during this difficult time. 'May Allah give their family and friends sabr during this difficult time.' CELEBRATED BIRTHDAY The Pakistanis in Ireland Group added: 'Our beloved friend Pir Abdullah's son (Abdur Rehman age 4yrs) passed away in mulingar due to car accident. 'May Allah give subr to his family and friends.' Advertisement Abdur was We also understand the driver of the car was on their way home when the accident happened. The boy was treated at the scene but was later pronounced dead at Mullingar Advertisement His family had only moved to the area in recent months. 'LOVED BY EVERYONE' As the garda probe continued, devastated neighbours told how Abdur was 'loved by everyone' and regularly enjoyed playing on his beloved scooter outside his house. And friends of the little boy's family revealed the youngster had only celebrated his fourth birthday over the Easter bank holiday weekend. Advertisement Fighting back tears, family friend Naveed Iqbal told how Abdur had not even opened all his birthday presents. Mr Iqbal said: 'They (the family) were keeping some for him so he could open one every day. 'The family just moved here a few months ago. We helped them move. 'They are a hardworking family, same as everyone here. Advertisement 'It's so sad for everyone. His birthday party was on Saturday. He was still to open some gifts. There are no words.'
