Thomas Kavanagh: Kinahan crime boss jailed over gun cache plot

In May 2021, Kavanagh provided information to the NCA which led them to a field in Newry in Northern Ireland, where two holdalls were unearthed.

They contained seven machine guns, three automatic handguns, an assault rifle and ammunition.

The plot was foiled after the NCA uncovered incriminating messages on encrypted EncroChat, which had been cracked by French counterparts.

Kent was said to have performed several roles, including what was described as being a “messenger-boy”, by receiving instructions from Kavanagh via a middleman in prison.

He then used his EncroChat device to relay instructions to others tasked with him to obtain the guns and ammunition, the court was told.

The judge heard that Byrne, who was also a brother-in-law of Kavanagh’s, was also a close criminal associate of his and they lived near each other in Tamworth, Staffordshire.

He was said to have acted on Kavanagh’s direction to acquire guns and ammunition and added “much-needed impetus” to progressing the plot.

In court on Tuesday, Kavanagh was sentenced to six years in prison to be served consecutively to his existing 21-year sentence.

Byrne was sentenced to five years in prison and Kent was jailed for six years.