Kinahan Cartel Boss’s Son Welcomes Baby with Steven Gerrard’s Daughter
Lee Byrne, son of notorious Kinahan cartel boss Liam Byrne, has become a father with his girlfriend Lilly-Ella Gerrard, daughter of Liverpool FC legend Steven Gerrard. The couple celebrated the arrival of their baby, with Lilly-Ella sharing the joyous news on her Instagram stories. She posted a black and white image featuring Lee carrying a baby carrier, captioned with “@LeeByrne 2 becomes 3” along with a pink heart and a baby emoji.
The relationship between Lee and Lilly-Ella, which began in October 2022, garnered significant media attention when it first came to light due to the high-profile nature of their families. It is important to note that neither Lee nor Lilly-Ella have any involvement in criminal activities.
This new arrival marks a significant milestone for the Gerrard family, as Lilly-Ella’s pregnancy made Steven Gerrard a first-time grandfather. The eldest child of the former England footballer had announced her pregnancy in January, sharing a photo of her positive pregnancy test on Instagram with her 222,000 followers, stating: “Our little secret. The best news…mini us is on the way.”
Liam Byrne’s Restricted Freedom Amidst Family Celebrations
While celebrations for the new baby are underway, Lee’s father, Liam Byrne, will likely be unable to fully participate due to his current legal status. The Crumlin-born gangster, 44, is under strict house arrest after being granted early release from prison. His early release was reportedly due to ongoing concerns about overcrowding in UK correctional facilities.
Byrne had been sentenced to five and a half years in prison for his involvement in a plot to stockpile a cache of machine guns. However, earlier this year, he was released from Belmarsh Prison in London and placed under stringent house arrest. In addition, UK police have formally imposed a Serious Crime Prevention Order on him, which significantly restricts his movements and lifestyle.
During the court proceedings, it was revealed at Ipswich Crown Court that Byrne and co-accused Shaun Kent had strategically planted the automatic weapons. This was allegedly part of a scheme to assist Kinahan cartel chief Thomas ‘Bommer’ Kavanagh in deceiving authorities. Kavanagh, who is Liam Byrne’s brother-in-law, had hoped to lead the National Crime Agency to the firearms in an attempt to reduce his sentence in a separate drug conspiracy case. Kavanagh is currently serving a 21-year prison sentence for his involvement in a conspiracy to import approximately €36 million worth of drugs into the UK.
The Broader Context: The Kinahan-Hutch Feud
The Byrne family has been deeply entrenched in the notorious Kinahan-Hutch feud, a violent gangland conflict that has claimed numerous lives. A pivotal moment in this feud was the shooting death of Liam Byrne’s brother, David Byrne, at the Regency Hotel on February 5, 2016. This event significantly escalated the conflict, leading to the Kinahan cartel murdering 16 more men in retaliatory acts.
Daniel Kinahan, the primary target of the Hutch gang on the day of the Regency Hotel shooting and widely considered the boss of the Kinahan cartel, continues to live in Dubai despite ongoing efforts by international law enforcement to dismantle his organization. The cartel, though showing signs of crumbling under pressure from various authorities, has maintained a high level of notoriety in the criminal underworld. The birth of Lee Byrne and Lilly-Ella Gerrard’s child brings a personal moment of joy amidst the complex and often dark backdrop of their family histories.
