GUN PLOT

Kinahan cartel thug Thomas ‘Bomber’ Kavanagh appears in court charged with plot to acquire

firearms and ammunition

• Published: 21:20, 5 Sep 2023
• Updated: 21:20, 5 Sep 2023

KINAHAN cartel leader Thomas ‘Bomber’ Kavanagh appeared in court today charged with a plot to acquire firearms and ammunition.

Kavanagh, 55, was arrested along with Shaun Kent, 37, and Daniel McLoughlin, 36, as part of an investigation by the National Crime Agency – dubbed Britain’s FBI.

The Irishman is already serving a 21-year sentence for masterminding a €36m drug smuggling operation.

Kavanagh, originally from Dublin, appeared over video-link from maximum security HMP Belmarsh and spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth.

Appearing via video-link from HMP Altcourse in Liverpool, McLoughlin denied conspiracy to possess a firearm without a certificate, conspiracy to possess ammunition without a certificate, conspiracy to possess a prohibited weapon and conspiracy to possession prohibited ammunition.

Appearing from HMP Forest Bank, Kent denied two counts of conspiracy to possess a firearm without a certificate, two counts of conspiracy to possession ammunition without a certificate, two counts of conspiracy to possess a prohibited weapon, two counts of conspiracy to possess prohibited ammunition and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

The conspiracy to pervert the course of justice charge against Kent states: “You, Shaun Kent, conspired with Liam Byrne, James Keating, and Peadar Keating and others unknown to do a series of acts to come into possession of firearms.

“And thereafter to hide them and then reveal their whereabouts to the NCA to enable Thomas Kavanagh to receive a lesser sentence.”

A trial estimated to last between four to six weeks was set for 2 September next year at the Old Bailey.

A further case management hearing will take place on 8 January 2024.