‘One of Ireland’s most wanted’ extradited from Dubai

Sean McGovern, one of the alleged most senior members of the Kinahan organised crime gang, has been extradited from the United Arab Emirates.

He was arrested by Dubai police in October after the publication of an Interpol Red Notice in collaboration between Irish and UAE authorities.

The 39-year-old is wanted for charges including murder and directing an organised crime group.

RTÉ are reporting that the Irish Air Corps Airbus C295 plane which is bringing him back to Ireland is due to land later today and gardaí (Irish police) are then expected to formally arrest him and charge him before the Special Criminal Court.

Mr McGovern is the first person to be extradited from the United Arab Emirates to Ireland.

Interpol described Mr McGovern as “one of Ireland’s most wanted fugitives”.

When asked by BBC News NI for comment on the extradition, An Garda Síochána said they were not in a position to at this time for “operational reasons”.

The Kinahans are Ireland’s wealthiest, most powerful and ruthless criminal gang.

It was founded by Christy Kinahan Sr, but it is believed its day-to-day operations are now controlled by sons Daniel, in particular, and Christopher Jr.

For more than 20 years, the group has been responsible for importing tonnes of drugs and firearms around the world, the National Crime Agency says.

The US Treasury Department previously described the Kinahan cartel as one of the most dangerous in the world, comparable to crime organisations such as Italy’s Camorra, Mexico’s Los Zetas and Japan’s Yakuza.

According to Garda Commissioner Drew Harris, the gang is estimated to have made more than €1bn (£852,629,000) globally from its activities.

In April 2022, the US Federal Bureau of Investigations put up rewards of $5m (£3.8m) for the capture of the three men.