McGovern Family Letters Filed Before 8 June Sentencing — Gang
Sean McGovern's family wrote letters to a Dublin court before his 8 June sentencing in a gang case. The letters were placed before the non-jury Special Criminal Court as he awaits sentence after pleading guilty to two charges.
Special Criminal Court Dublin
McGovern pleaded guilty to directing the activities of a criminal organisation between 20 October 2016 and 20 December 2016 in connection with the murder of Noel Kirwan. He also admitted directing the activities of a criminal organisation between 17 October 2015 and 6 April 2017 in relation to the surveillance of rival Hutch gang member James Gately in preparation for a serious offence.
Because he admitted the charges, the court heard sentencing evidence last Monday and Friday instead of holding a trial. The family letters were part of that process, with McGovern's partner, her father, his mother and his uncle all writing on his behalf.
Family Letters For McGovern
McGovern's mother described him as a "committed father". The father of McGovern's partner said he "always presented as a caring and generous father". His uncle wrote that rehabilitation is "always possible" and referred to McGovern's "choices and decisions" and "entirety".
The court was told that the family of Noel 'Duck Egg' Kirwan are the victims in this case. McGovern, who is suspected of being a senior figure in the Kinahan organised crime group, has also spent time in a Dubai prison before being extradited back to Ireland.
Portlaoise Prison Report
McGovern is currently being held at Portlaoise Prison, where a report from the prison governor did not identify any difficulties with his behaviour and said he is engaging with services. Michael Bowman, defending, told the court that McGovern wanted to apologise for his actions.
The sentencing hearing now moves to 8 June, when the court is due to decide the penalty after hearing both the state evidence and the family material. The letters leave the court with two competing records in front of it: the admitted role in organised criminal activity tied to murder and surveillance, and the account of a man relatives described as a father and someone capable of rehabilitation.
