The passing of James Byrne Snr, a convicted criminal, has brought grief to the notorious family of Lilly-Ella Gerrard’s boyfriend.
Lilly-Ella Gerrard is currently in a relationship with Lee Byrne. Although Lee is not involved in criminal activities, his father, Liam Byrne, is a well-known Irish mobster who reportedly led a drug cartel operation spanning Britain and Ireland.
Liam Byrne is presently incarcerated in the UK, awaiting trial for firearm charges. However, his father, James Byrne Snr, a 77-year-old convicted fraudster nicknamed ‘Jaws,’ passed away in the hospital over the weekend.
Despite the criminal background of Lee’s family, he and Lilly-Ella have remained a couple, and Lee has received Steven Gerrard’s approval
In light of Lilly-Ella’s connection to such a high-profile criminal family, it’s worth examining her life more closely. Lilly-Ella is a social media influencer with a substantial following—206,000 on Instagram and 75,200 on TikTok.
One of her videos featured her dancing to Katy Perry’s “Teenage Dream,” and she celebrated her 20th birthday in February. Her father, Steven Gerrard, who now manages Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia, publicly wished her a special birthday, expressing how much she means to him.
Lilly-Ella frequently shares snapshots of her opulent lifestyle online, offering glimpses of her glamorous travels to places like Dubai, Bahrain, and Ibiza. In one post, she humorously described herself as “such an old woman” who enjoys relaxing on the sofa in the mornings, watching Lorraine.
In October 2022, it was revealed that Lilly-Ella, then 18, was dating Lee Byrne, who was 23 at the time. The couple had previously vacationed together in Ibiza.
While Lee has no criminal ties, his father’s notorious reputation casts a shadow. Liam Byrne, a Dubliner aged 43, was identified in court as the leader of the ‘Byrne Organised Crime Group.’ His brother, David Byrne, was infamously killed in the Regency Hotel shooting, a pivotal event in the Hutch-Kinahan mob feud that led to 18 murders.
Steven Gerrard has also been seen interacting with an alleged associate of Daniel Kinahan. In 2022, footage showed Gerrard chatting with Byrne, who was on a video call with a Liverpool fan offering tickets to see the team.
James Byrne, an armed robber, was apprehended by Spanish authorities in June of the previous year following a UK extradition warrant. He was identified by the National Crime Agency as a suspected member of the Kinahan cartel. Earlier this year, he faced additional charges over a weapons plot while being held in HMP Belmarsh. Byrne and his brother-in-law Thomas Kavanagh have denied the firearms and conspiracy charges, with their trial scheduled for September.
Despite these issues, Lee Byrne and Lilly-Ella have remained a couple for two years. In January, she shared a photo with him, calling him her “best friend” and wishing her followers a happy new year. Reactions to their photo included praise for their beauty and a comment about appreciating their relationship more than Gerrard’s football achievements.
Lee Byrne seems to have earned Steven Gerrard’s approval, as Gerrard posted a birthday message on Instagram last year, wishing Lee a “boss day.”
