Interpol has welcomed the arrest in Dubai of senior Kinahan gang figure Sean McGovern, describing him as “one of Ireland’s most wanted individuals”.
The crime cartel lieutenant, considered second in command to kingpin Daniel Kinahan, was arrested in the United Arab Emirates in relation to a Kinahan-Hutch feud murder and for directing organised crime.
Irish authorities are seeking his extradition to Ireland, despite there being no extradition treaty between the two countries.
It is expected that McGovern will be brought to a court in Dubai for a judge to decide whether or not he can be lawfully extradited to Ireland — and if he can challenge any such decision. Furthermore, sources have indicated that Daniel Kinahan himself is next on the list for gardaí after the arrest of McGovern.
In a statement on Friday, Interpol said it had lent its co-operation towards the apprehension of McGovern. It said his arrest came following the publication of an Interpol Red Notice, or international wanted persons alert, to support the ongoing collaboration between Irish and UAE Authorities.
“One of Ireland’s most wanted individuals has been arrested thanks to the combined efforts of the Irish authorities and the United Arab Emirates,” said Interpol’s secretary general Jurgen Stock.
“Cases like this underline the value of international police co-operation via Interpol’s global network, and again highlights that no fugitive can consider themselves safe from justice.”
His arrest was welcomed on Thursday by Garda Commissioner Drew Harris describing it as a “significant development in our ongoing efforts to combat transnational organised crime”.
Speaking on the wider investigation into the Kinahan organised crime gang, he said gardaí have always said they would be resolute and relentless in the pursuit of those individuals.
“They are Irish nationals,” he said.
“They are one of our main objectives in terms of law enforcement and their pursuit.
“I would speak, then unusually perhaps, to other members of the Kinahan crime gang. They should look about them. They should see what is happening here and they should remember that there is $15m with US federal law enforcement and the US Federal witness protection scheme open.
“And they should consider that. They should consider their own future given the progress and ingress that we are making into the Kinahan organised crime gang, collectively, not just us, but other partners, be it the National Crime Agency, Europol and our US federal law enforcement counterparts.”
