Football icon Steven Gerrard has shared his excitement about becoming a grandfather for the first time. His daughter Lilly-Ella is pregnant with boyfriend Lee's child, who is the son of notorious Kinahan cartel member Liam Byrne.
Despite his family links, Lee is not involved in any unlawful activities. The couple, who began their love story in October 2022 when she was just 18 and he 23, are thrilled to announce they're expecting a baby.
Lilly-Ella joyously announced on Instagram with scans of the baby: "Our little secret the best news, mini us is on the way". Beaming with pride, Steven Gerrard responded to the post saying: "We can't wait, great news and congratulations we love you".
TV personality Chloe Sims also expressed her excitement with the words: "Yes yes yes so excited for you babe xxx". Lee has been clearly enamored with Lilly-Ella, previously expressing she's "the best person he's ever met".
While Lee is clear of criminal associations, his father Liam Byrne is infamous as a key figure in the Byrne Organised Crime Group. The violence linked to the elder Byrne included the 2016 assassination of his brother David at Dublin's Regency Hotel – a shocking crime that intensified the Hutch-Kinahan feud, responsible for a tragic series of 18 deaths.
Last month, at the Old Bailey in London, he pleaded guilty alongside Thomas 'Bomber' Kavanagh to conspiracy to import firearms which were ultimately found buried in a field in Newry, Co Down in May 2021. They were deliberately left there in a peculiar plot to be discovered by investigators - following a tip-off from Kavanagh, 57, who was attempting to secure himself a lesser prison sentence.
Liam Byrne was handed a five-year prison term. In mitigation, his defence barrister told the court that his client "never wants to find himself in this position again," and "wants to find himself living a good and honest life" when he is released.
