Latest news with #KinahanCartel
Irish Times
09-06-2025
- Irish Times
Senior gardaí warn Kinahan cartel members of ‘serious life choices' ahead
Senior figures in the Kinahan cartel who remain at large, mainly in Dubai, are in a 'perilous position' as the State has already secured significant policing results that 'people said couldn't be done', Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has said. Deputy Commissioner Justin Kelly, who is in charge of security-related policing including organised crime, said senior and junior cartel members had 'significant life choices' to make in the months ahead. Rewards amounting to $15 million (€13 million) from US law enforcement remain available for information that would lead to the arrest and conviction of cartel founder Christy Kinahan and his sons, Daniel and Christopher Jnr Many people linked to them needed to now carefully consider their options, gardaí said. READ MORE Mr Harris and Mr Kelly were speaking just over a week after the wanted cartel figure, Seán McGovern , was extradited from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Ireland to face charges over alleged crimes linked to the Kinahan-Hutch feud. The charges include murder, directing a crime gang and enhancing the capabilities of a crime gang. McGovern last October became the first cartel member to be arrested in Dubai. He is the first Irish person ever extradited from the UAE to the Republic. His extradition became possible after a once-off agreement was reached between the UAE and Ireland. A permanent extradition agreement between the two states came into force for future cases last month. An Air Corp plane carrying Sean McGovern lands at Baldonnell in Dublin last week after his extradition from Dubai. Photograph: Alan Betson Mr Harris said the relationship the Garda had built with Dubai Police was strong and had resulted in Dubai aiding the extradition and 'providing us with information' about cartel members. He and Mr Kelly stressed that even minor players in the cartel's activities had information that could secure the US reward money. 'I want to remind others in the Kinahan organised crime gang of the perilous position that they're now in,' said Mr Harris told reporters in Dublin on Monday. 'Ourselves and other law enforcement are fixed on them, fixed on bringing them to justice, all of them to justice. 'So all of them should be worried and they should be thinking of the choices, serious life choices, that are now ahead of them in respect of what they do over the coming months.' A poster offering rewards for information that would lead to the conviction of any of the three Kinahans or for significant information that could degrade the cartel Almost two years ago, The Irish Times revealed a Garda investigation had been concluded into the alleged activities in Ireland of the cartel's leadership team based in Dubai, with a file sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). Some of the leadership figures were also investigated for their alleged roles in the 2016 Kinahan-Hutch feud murder of Eddie Hutch. He was the brother of Gerry Hutch, known as The Monk, who was named in Garda evidence to the High Court as the main protagonist in the feud on the Hutch side. However, when asked whether any directions on criminal charges had been received from the DPP relating to those investigations, Mr Harris said he could not provide a running commentary on such matters. Mr Kelly said he had previously made clear the Garda would be 'relentless in our pursuit' of cartel members and others involved in organised crime. Going to another country, even one with no extradition agreement in place, did not offer them safety, he added. 'It doesn't matter where in the world they are,' he said. 'We've absolutely dismantled two of the organised crime groups here in Dublin. At one stage we had 47 members of one group in jail,' Mr Kelly added, in reference to the Byrne organised crime group, which ran the cartel's operation in Ireland, though he did not name them. Deputy Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly, who is in charge of security-related policing including organised crime. Photograph: Colin Keegan/Collins Anyone who was involved in organised crime, or was just becoming involved, needed to be aware of the response they would be met with. 'The reality facing you is the full force of the State against you; investigations by specialist investigators, prosecutions, many of these cases in the Special Criminal Court. And there's been numerous lengthy sentences handed out for drugs, firearms,' Mr Kelly said. 'We now have substantial legislation around organised crime; directing and facilitating organised crime. So there's a huge range of powers we have.' For many of those jailed in recent years, the Criminal Assets Bureau (Cab) had followed up by seizing their homes and other assets. The 'events of the last week' – a reference to the McGovern extradition – offered a clear demonstration of 'the absolute relentlessness' of the approach now being pursued by the Garda, he added.
Sunday World
09-06-2025
- Sunday World
Murder of Scottish gangsters in Spain could drag Kinahan Cartel into new mob war
Fears that double killing could signal Irish gangsters' involvement in new mob war The pair, who were shot dead in an attack at Monaghan's pub in Fuengirola on the Costa del Sol eight days ago, were key figures in the Glasgow-based Lyons crime gang. The Lyons mob formed a close alliance with the Kinahan Cartel through Eddie Jnr's brother, Stephen, who previously lived in Spain and now resides in Dubai, and were suspected of helping the Kinahans coordinate the shipment of €157million of cocaine on board the MV Matthews. Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party MSP and former crime journalist Russell Findlay yesterday told the Sunday World a major concern for StephenLyons at this moment is whether the Kinahans may have, in fact, sanctioned the hit. The scene at Monaghan's pub in Fuengirola on the Costa del Sol where Eddie Lyons Jnr and Ross Monaghan were gunned down 'We already know the Kinahans' involvement in the Scottish drug trade is significant,' he said. 'Their connections with the Lyons have fuelled gangland violence in Scotland and escalated it over the years. 'In the paranoid world of organised crime, there is a lot of smoke and mirrors, a lot of speculation, but what I suppose this boils down to, is either the Kinahans have had a hand in these murders due to some unknown internal fallout or they have seen two of their allies gunned down in cold blood. 'If it is the latter, then the expectation would be there will be some kind of retribution. 'If I was in Stephen Lyons' shoes, living my luxury air-conditioned lifestyle in Dubai, I would be seeking a meeting with the Kinahans at the earliest possible opportunity to work out who has been responsible for this. . 'But the real fear now is this will only fuel gangland violence, not just in Spain, but also in the streets of Scotland.' In the immediate aftermath of the double assassination at Monaghan's bar, speculation immediately connected the killings to a feud between the Lyons and the rival Daniel gang in Scotland. An escalation in that feud has resulted in assaults, shootings and fire-bombings across Glasgow and Edinburgh in recent months. However, a Lyons family member subsequently discounted this theory, while a statement by Police Scotland said there is 'nothing to suggest that the shooting in Fuengirola was planned from within Scotland'. Ross Monaghan Spanish police are instead understood to be focussed on the likelihood the murders are linked to wider gangland tensions – and are making inquiries to determine what if any stance the Kinahans had taken on the killings. Lyons (46), and Monaghan (43) died when a gunman opened fire on them in the Fuengirola bar – where the pair had watched the Champions League final, at about 11pm on the night of the killings.# The gunman then fled the scene in a car. Sources say the Daniel gang had shied away from making any moves against the Lyons in Spain due to their connections with the Kinahan mob and believe it unlikely their attitude would have changed sufficiently for involvement in the double killing likely. Outlining the background to the Kinahan's alliance with the Lyons and the effect this had on their feud with the Daniel gang, our source referred to a triple shooting in Scotland that occurred at an MOT station in the Lambhill area of the city in 2006. Gangsters Eddie Lyons Jnr In that shooting, Stephen Lyons was badly wounded, as was his associate Robert Pickett, while Stephen's cousin Michael Lyons was shot dead. A source said: 'Going way back, there was a triple shooting in Glasgow at an MOT station, Stephen was shot, his cousin Michael was murdered, and a third man Pickett was shot. backlash 'That resulted in Stephen fleeing to Spain. And it was that, fleeing to Spain, that was either the catalyst for the Kinahan connection being made or that made it bigger than it had already been. 'At that point, some Daniel gang-related associate was in the Costa del Sol and ascertained the Lyons were close to the Kinahans and took the view that they could not make a move on them in Spain. 'They could not make a move against Stephen in Spain. Russell Findlay 'So, if the Daniel gang took the view that was too big a move or that the backlash would be too big back then, it would be consistent with them not having the wherewithal to do it now.' The source said Stephen Lyons is the only member remaining out of the youth gang from which he, Michael and Eddie Jnr emerged. 'The rest are either dead or in prison,' he said. Asked if Stephen Lyons has anything to fear from his long-term allies, the Kinahans, the source responded: 'These people have absolutely no qualms about putting a knife between the shoulder blades of their best friends if it suits them. 'There's no loyalty and there's a paranoia that envelopes everything they do. So, it would be premature to assume the Kinahans are on a war footing over this to avenge the Lyons murders when for all we know they could have been responsible for it.' In their statement released on Tuesday, Police Scotland said they were not directly investigating the double murder. Instead they said: 'The investigation into the fatal shootings in Fuengirola is being carried out by Spanish police,' it said. 'Police Scotland is supporting Spanish police where requested; however at this time we have no officers deployed within Spain. 'There is currently no intelligence to suggest the deaths of these two men in Spain are linked to the recent criminal attacks in Scotland being investigated as part of Operation Portaledge. 'Any misinformation or speculation linking the events in Spain are not helpful to the ongoing investigations in either country.'
Daily Mail
08-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Drug kingpin gunned down in Costa del Sol bar with Scottish gangster was 'seen as top dog by rival cartels' - before having £250k bounty put on his head
A notorious British gangland figure who was gunned down in a brutal double shooting on the Costa del Sol is believed to have had a £250,000 contract placed on his life amid growing tensions with a rival Spanish drugs crew. Ross Monaghan, 43, long associated with Glasgow 's violent Lyons crime family, was assassinated alongside fellow mobster Eddie Lyons Jr, 46, outside a bar he owned in Fuengirola, southern Spain. Both men were executed in a chilling hit just moments after watching the Champions League final last Saturday night while on a golfing holiday with twelve buddies. Sources say Monaghan had become a key decision-maker in the Lyons operation, wielding major influence over its drugs operations from his base on the Costa, and was even seen by some as more powerful than figurehead Steven Lyons. He also allegedly acted as a liaison with Ireland's feared Kinahan cartel, forging ties with the notorious Dublin-based outfit that has been linked to multiple murders and a multimillion pound drug empire. Insiders now claim Monaghan had become such a prominent figure that rival gangs viewed him as a top-level target, with one English-linked syndicate reportedly warning of a £250,000 hit being planned in the weeks leading up to his death. 'Eddie's brother Steven is often seen as boss of the Lyons gang but, in reality, Ross Monaghan was on an equal footing,' one source told the Scottish Sun. 'He sometimes made more big decisions to the point some joked it should be called the Monaghan gang instead of the Lyons.' Authorities believe the hitman knew exactly who he was going after, cornering Monaghan inside his own bar after first shooting Lyons in the street outside. CCTV footage released earlier this week by Spanish police shows the moment that a desperate Monaghan attempts to crawl away to safety, with a deathly red stain seeping across his otherwise pristine white T-shirt. Police in Spain are reportedly aware of the suspected gunman's identity but have not confirmed which crew ordered the hit. One theory is that the execution stemmed from an unpaid debt involving a rival Spanish cartel with links to England. Despite speculation linking the murders to ongoing feuds in Scotland, including the decades-long war between the Lyons and Daniels gangs, Police Scotland has denied any intelligence suggesting the killings were ordered from the UK. 'There is currently no evidence connecting the Fuengirola shootings to recent violence in Scotland,' a spokesperson said. 'We are assisting Spanish authorities as required.' Monaghan, once cleared in the high-profile 2010 murder of Kevin 'Gerbil' Carroll in Glasgow, had previously survived a 2017 assassination attempt while dropping off his child at school. Former Scottish crime chief Graeme Pearson said Monaghan's ability to survive and stay one step ahead of rivals had cemented his status in the gangland world. ''His group became known for extreme violence. Being acquitted from a murder trial through lack of evidence proved his bottle to the gang. 'Then he was shot and survived. It was part of his criminal CV. But people like Monaghan make enemies everywhere.' Both Monaghan and Lyons were acquitted in a 2017 street assault case and had since relocated to Spain — a region increasingly dominated by organised crime groups from across Europe. The murders come amid rising gangland violence on the Costa del Sol, with at least four shootings reported in April alone. Just weeks ago, a British man from Liverpool was shot dead in nearby Calahonda in another suspected drug feud. Meanwhile, the long-running war between the Lyons and Daniels clans in Glasgow and Edinburgh continues, with firebombings and brutal beatings allegedly linked to stolen cocaine shipments worth hundreds of thousands of pounds. Some reports suggest the Lyons may have aligned with Dubai-based kingpin Ross 'Miami' McGill, an alleged rival of Daniels associate Mark Richardson. Social media videos have even surfaced showing apparent revenge attacks fuelling fears of further bloodshed. But sources close to the Monaghan family insist the Daniels were not responsible for last week's killings, suggesting a new, more sinister force may be emerging within Spain's lucrative underworld. The brutal daylight assassinations have also sparked outrage among local residents. British expats in Fuengirola held a protest on Friday, demanding a crackdown on organised crime and greater police presence on the streets. Monaghan's bar, which markets itself as a 'family-friendly sports bar' opposite one of the town's most popular beaches, remains closed as the investigation continues.
Irish Times
05-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Sean McGovern concerned over ‘legality, propriety, process' of Dubai arrest and extradition, court told
The legal team hired by alleged Kinahan cartel senior figure Sean McGovern has told the Special Criminal Court in Dublin it was very concerned about the legality of his arrest in Dubai, his extradition to Ireland and his arrival in Dublin last week. Olan Callanan BL, for Mr McGovern, on Thursday told the court those reservations would be formally raised and set out to the Director of Public Prosecutions by the office of Michael Staines solicitors. 'What is to the fore, and of fundamental concern, is the legality, propriety and process which surrounded his arrival in Dublin last week,' Mr Callanan told the three-judge court. After a brief hearing of the court in central Dublin, during which Mr McGovern appeared by video link from Portlaoise Prison, he was further remanded in custody pending his next court appearance on June 18th. READ MORE Thursday's hearing was taking place a week after Ms Govern (39), a father of two, was extradited from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). He is charged in relation to the Kinahan-Hutch feud murder of Noel Kirwan (62), conspiracy to murder another man, directing a crime organisation and enhancing the capacity of a crime organisation. The murder charge he faces carries a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment, while the offence of directing a criminal organisation carries a sentence of up to a life term. At the accused's first court hearing last Thursday, Mr Callahan said his client was reserving his position in relation to the 'lawfulness of his arrest' and the jurisdiction of the Special Criminal Court. Mr McGovern is the first Irish person to be extradited from the UAE and the first alleged Kinahan cartel member arrested there. He had been in detention in the UAE since his arrest at his Dubai home last October on foot of an extradition request from the Irish authorities. The accused man arrived into Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, on an Air Corps Casa C295 plane last Thursday, May 29th, before being taken to the Courts of Criminal Justice for an evening sitting of the Special Criminal Court. He appeared before Ms Justice Karen O'Connor, Judge Elma Sheahan and Judge Gráinne Malone and was remanded in custody to Portlaoise Prison to today's date – Thursday, June 5th – when he appeared before the court again via video link from jail. Mr McGovern is charged with five alleged offences including the December 22nd, 2016, murder of Christopher 'Noel' Kirwan on St Ronan's Drive, Clondalkin. He is also charged with directing a criminal organisation between October 20th and December 22nd, 2016, and with enhancing the capacity of a criminal organisation between the same dates, all in relation to the Kirwan murder. Separately, he is charged with directing a criminal organisation between October 17th, 2015, and April 6th, 2017, in relation to the surveillance of Dubliner James Gately in preparation for the commission of indictable offence. He was further charged with facilitating a criminal organisation engaged in a conspiracy to murder Mr Gately between the same dates.
BreakingNews.ie
05-06-2025
- Business
- BreakingNews.ie
Kinahan cartel member Sean McGovern to challenge legality of extradition
Lawyers for Sean McGovern (39), named by US law enforcement as a senior figure in the Kinahan cartel and who is charged with murder and directing a criminal organisation, have raised a concern about the legality of his extradition to Ireland from the United Arab Emirates last week. Olan Callanan BL, for McGovern, told the three-judge, non-jury Special Criminal Court on Thursday that Michael Staines' solicitor's office will issue a letter to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) imminently, putting them on notice of an application. Advertisement 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 29th 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. Advertisement Ms Justice Karen O'Connor agreed to set a date for hearing McGovern's application on Wednesday, June 18th. 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. Advertisement McGovern (39), with a previous address at Kildare Road, Crumlin, Dublin 12, is charged with the murder of Noel Kirwan on December 22nd, 2016, at St Ronan's Drive, Clondalkin, in Dublin. Ireland Senior Kinahan gang member Sean McGovern charged w... Read More He is also charged with directing the activities of a criminal organisation in connection with the same murder between October 20th, 2016, and December 22nd, 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 17th, 2015, and April 6th, 2017. Another charge alleges that between October 20th and December 22nd, 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.
