RING OF STEEL AS MCGOVERN CHARGED

Charged with murder and four other offences | Cops vow to thugs bring more back to face trial

- MICHAEL O'TOOLE

SEAN McGovern made no reply when he was formally charged with murder and four gangland offences in a Dublin court last night.

The 39-year-old spoke only once to confirm his identity during a 15-minute hearing at the non-jury Special Criminal Court.

“Yes,” he replied when he was asked if he was Sean McGovern.

Wearing a grey T-shirt, grey sweatpants, white socks and black sliders, McGovern stood as the charges were read out to him.

He then sat back down in the dock without comment after the charges were put to him.

He is charged with the murder of Christopher “Noel” Kirwan at St Ronan's Drive in Clondalkin in west Dublin on December 22, 2016.

Mr Kirwan, 62, was shot dead in the driveway of his home.

He was targeted by the Kinahan cartel after he was spotted with Gerry “The Monk” Hutch at the funeral of his brother Eddie Hutch in Dublin in February 2016.

Mr McGovern, who appears to have shaved his head, is also charged with four gangland offences.