The family of a "senior lieutenant" in an Irish international crime gang has written testimonial letters to a court in Dublin.
Sean McGovern is before the non-jury Special Criminal Court and is due to be sentenced on 8 June.
He is suspected of being a senior figure in the Kinahan organised crime group, which has been sanctioned by the US.
McGovern has pleaded guilty to two charges.
These are directing the activities of a criminal organisation between 20 October 2016 and 20 December 2016 in connection with the murder of Noel Kirwan. And directing the activities of a criminal organisation between 17 October 2015 and 6 April 2017 in relation to the surveillance of rival Hutch gang member James Gately in preparation for a serious offence.
