Warrant issued for arrest of Daniel Kinahan's right-hand man Sean McGovern

Sean McGovern, originally from Crumlin but believed to be in Dubai, is wanted to face charges of murder and organised crime related offences.

Assistant Commissioner John O'Driscoll, head of the Garda's investigations into organised and serious crime, said that they are monitoring his movements and are appealing for information on him.

He said the Cartel possessed a significant wealth and power which was exercised in a campaign of murder in Ireland directed by the group's hierarchy.

Speaking at a press conference to announce international sanctions against the gang, Assistant Commissioner John O'Driscoll said “in respect of certain individual whose movements we are monitoring.”

“Anyone who has knowledge of the whereabouts of Sean McGovern, who is subject to a European Arrest Warrant to contact An Garda Siochana.”

The said the arrest warrant relates to “a number of organised crime related offences”.

To date, the Garda's Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (DOCB) have seized €20m in drugs, €7.5m in cash and numerous firearms linked to the cartel.

The press conference also heard the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and the UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) estimate the gang's operation is worth over a €1bn.

Gregory Gatjanis, associate director of OFAC, said the cartel had started on the streets of Dublin two decades ago but that now its tentacles spread around the world.

He said through the sanctions imposed it now joins the ranks of international crime gangs including the Italian Camorra, the Japanese Yakuza, and the Russian gang 'Thieves in law.'

Wendy Woodcock, of the DEA, said that the Kinahan gang prey and profit from the addicted while living lavish lifestyles in Dubai.

She appealed for anyone with information which will financially disrupt the Kinahans or lead to their arrest, to submit tips to KinahanNTCOtips@dea.gov.

Ms Woodcock said that their dedicated law enforcement and intelligence officers will work "effortlessly and tirelessly" to follow up every lead and bring the KOCG to justice.

The NCA's Deputy Director Matt Horne said that they have prevented eight threats to life or murders on UK streets linked to the gang by sharing intelligence with international agencies.

He said that despite several successes, the leadership continued to evade capture and going to extreme lengths to evade capture.

Mr Horne said that this included the use of corruption and counter-surveillance, but that these sanctions will severly hamper the Kinahan gang which includes freezing their bank accounts.