Courts / Dublin / Report

Sean McGovern changes legal team

Summary

Sean McGovern, 39, previously of Kildare Road, Crumlin, Dublin 12, appeared via video link at the Special Criminal Court to change his legal representation. His solicitors, Michael Staines, applied to withdraw from the case, with the accused to be represented by Wayne Kenny solicitors. McGovern confirmed his consent to the application. The matter was adjourned for mention to July 28, when the accused is to be produced in court. McGovern, who was extradited from the United Arab Emirates, faces multiple charges. He is alleged to have murdered Noel Kirwan on December 22, 2016, at St Ronan's Drive, Clondalkin. He is also charged with directing the activities of a criminal organisation in connection with that murder between October 20 and December 22, 2016. Additional charges allege he directed a criminal organisation in surveilling James Gately between October 17, 2015, and April 6, 2017, in preparation for an indictable offence. He further faces charges of facilitating a criminal organisation in the murder of Kirwan and in a conspiracy to murder Gately. In June, his lawyers raised concerns regarding the legality and propriety of his extradition process to Ireland. No plea was entered, and no findings or sentences were recorded at this pretrial stage.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Sean McGovern changes legal team. Charges or matters: the murder of Noel Kirwan on December 22, 2016 at St Ronan's Drive, Clondalkin in Dublin; 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 17, 2015 and April 6, 2017. Procedural stage: charge_or_pretrial

When:

• July 28 Hearing Or Sentence
• December 22, 2016 Incident
• October 20 2016 Incident
• October 17, 2015 Incident
• April 6, 2017 Incident
• October 20 Incident
• 2025-06-18 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Charge Or Pretrial Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report