Shamrock Rovers star Jack Byrne celebrates Kinahan associate’s 21st birthday – 72 hours before partying with royals
HERE is Irish footie ace Jack Byrne celebrating a Kinahan associate's 21st birthday — just 72 hours before partying with Prince William and Kate Middleton in Dublin.
Our pictures show the Shamrock Rovers star alongside Nathan Little and Lee Byrne — innocent son of major drugs trafficker Liam Byrne — at the party in Dublin’s Red Cow Hotel on Saturday night.
Just three days later, the former Man City footballer was sharing stories with the royals after he was invited to a function in the Guinness Storehouse.
Tuesday’s reception was hosted by the British ambassador, who tweeted: “The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge met representatives from Irish sport, film and television, business, charity and education sectors and, of course, sampled pints of Guinness.”
In the pic posted by the UK Embassy, Byrne and rugby player Garry Ringrose can be seen listening attentively to Kate.
Following the bash, he shared the snap on social media and said: “What an honour”.
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The 23-year-old, from Clonliffe Gardens in Dublin’s north inner city, was part of a specially selected group who met the pair as they ended the first day of their visit in the Guinness site.
Other guests on the night included actors Liam Cunningham, Deirdre O’Kane and Robert Sheehan and Ryan Tubridy.
Just three days earlier, Byrne was rubbing shoulders with Kinahan associate Little at his 21st.
Although there was no sign of garda target Liam Byrne — whose brother David was gunned down in the Regency Hotel attack in 2016 — their dad James ‘Jaws’ Byrne and mum Sadie were spotted heading into the hotel.
Little was named in CAB files as being a member of the Byrne Organised Crime Group, headed by Liam, who works under the orders of Daniel Kinahan.
CAB told the High Court in 2018: “The main target of this investigation, Liam Byrne, is a close and trusted associate and lieutenant of Daniel Kinahan.”
'WE'LL HAVE A GOOD ONE'
Little was a pallbearer at David Byrne’s funeral, wearing the same suit as other senior gang members.
In a speech after blowing the candles on his three-tier birthday cake, Little paid tribute to slain Byrne while listing names of those who could not be there, as well as naming Liam.
Little told the group: “Thanks everyone for coming. We’ll have a good one, won’t we?”
Rovers hero Jack posed beside his pals Nathan and Lee Byrne, a car salesman who has no criminal convictions.
Ireland international Byrne had starred the night beforehand in the Hoops’ 3-2 win over Dundalk at Tallaght Stadium, bagging a late winner to seal three points.
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Although Ireland boss Mick McCarthy was in attendance, he missed out on the ace’s goal.
But Jack, who has enjoyed a number of nights out with pal Lee Byrne, was hailed by the Ireland manager.
McCarthy said: “He certainly gave me plenty to think about with that performance and I loved everything about the game.”
