Anita Freeman, the girlfriend of wanted Kinahan gangster Sean McGovern, has been making frequent visits back to Ireland from her lavish lifestyle with her family in Dubai. Despite having no criminal involvement herself, Freeman has been the subject of high-level briefings to UAE authorities by investigators from the Gardai, the UK’s National Crime Agency, and Europol, in connection with her ties to the Kinahan cartel.
Caoimhe Robinson, the wife of notorious mob boss Daniel Kinahan, has been involved in multi-million-euro property deals in the UAE, prompting frustration from Irish and US investigators over the lack of inquiries into her finances. Robinson and Kinahan, along with their family, relocated to Dubai after being sanctioned by the US government in April 2022 amidst the escalating violence with the Hutch gang in Dublin and increased European cooperation against transnational drugs and arms trafficking.
Despite playing no role in criminal activities, the authorities in Dubai have been cautioned to thoroughly investigate the financial resources of everyone associated with the Kinahan cartel, as concerns mount over the high life enjoyed by those connected to the gang without any questions asked.
Anita Freeman’s frequent visits to Ireland stand in stark contrast to the exile of her partner Sean McGovern, who has been unable to set foot in the country since relocating to Dubai in 2017. The focus of the Gardai remains on extraditing McGovern back to Ireland to face charges over the 2016 murder of Noel ‘Duck Egg’ Kirwan, which could serve as a model for apprehending Daniel Kinahan and other senior gang members.
Outside of Dubai, the partner of Liam Byrne, Simoan McEnroe, continues to reside in England, while Joanne Byrne, the sister of Thomas ‘Bomber’ Kavanagh, remains in her luxury mansion in the UK, which is being pursued for seizure by the National Crime Agency. Despite the troubles faced by their partners, both McEnroe and Joanne continue to make regular visits to Dublin.
The luxurious lifestyle enjoyed by those connected to the Kinahan cartel in Dubai has raised concerns regarding the lack of scrutiny around their financial resources and activities. As the Gardai and international law enforcement agencies work towards extradition and seizures, the high life led by these individuals in Dubai amidst ongoing criminal investigations remains a matter of great concern.