Man extradited from Dubai charged with murder

A man who was extradited to the Republic of Ireland from the United Arab Emirates has been charged with murder and other charges relating to directing the activities of a criminal organisation.

Sean McGovern, 39, appeared before the Special Criminal Court in Dublin amid high security on Thursday.

Appearing before three judges, Mr McGovern was charged with five offences, Irish broadcaster RTÉ has reported.

He was charged with the murder of Noel Kirwan, who was shot in Dublin in December 2016 as part of the feud between the Hutch and Kinahan criminal gangs.

He was further charged that between 20 October and 22 December 2016 he had directed activity that led to the murder of Mr Kirwan.

And a charge relating to the participation in a criminal organisation contrary to section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act.

He was also charged with two other offences, of directing the activities of a criminal organisation in relation to monitoring the activity of James Gately, and another charge of facilitating a conspiracy to murder Mr Gately.

A lawyer for Mr McGovern said he had spoken to his client about the schedule of charges and told the court that they were reserving their position in relation to the lawfulness of the arrest and the jurisdiction of the court.

Mr McGovern was arrested in the United Arab Emirates last October after an Interpol red notice was issued.

Shortly after his arrest, the Republic of Ireland finalised an agreement on an extradition treaty with the United Arab Emirates.

Mr McGovern was handed over to gardaí (Irish police) in Dubai on Wednesday.

He was transported back to Ireland in an Irish military plane on Thursday and formally arrested by police investigating the activities of the Kinahan crime gang when the aircraft landed at Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnel.

He was remanded in custody and is to appear in court next week.