Suspected crime boss Daniel Kinahan has appeared before a special court in Dublin after being extradited from the United Arab Emirates. The 49-year-old has been charged with directing the activities of a criminal organisation between 18 October 2015 and 6 April 2017. Kinahan was arrested in the UAE in April and had challenged an extradition order, but his appeals were unsuccessful.
An Irish government jet carrying him landed at Baldonnel Casement Aerodrome in Dublin shortly after 18:00 local time on Sunday. He was arrested and charged before being taken to the Criminal Courts of Justice under heavy police guard.
Following a 13-minute hearing at the non-jury Special Criminal Court, Kinahan was remanded in custody until 5 October.
Kinahan appeared before judges Patrick McGrath, Sarah Berkeley and Fiona Lydon. He was wearing a black hooded top and did not have legal representation, telling the court he had not had time to arrange one.
When Judge McGrath suggested that he should be charged and legal representation arranged later, Kinahan replied: “If I have time, yes.” The court was told by Detective Sergeant Colm Davison that he had arrested Kinahan earlier that evening.
Judge McGrath explained that Kinahan could apply for bail through the High Court. Kinahan replied: “I think we all know I won’t be getting bail, but thank you for your time.”
He was told he could decide later whether to attend his next court hearing in person or by videolink.
Security Operation
A large security operation was put in place ahead of Kinahan’s arrival. The Irish Prison Service had purchased a bulletproof and bombproof vehicle that can be used to transport prisoners considered high-risk.
Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly said the arrest demonstrated the force’s determination to “target transnational organised crime groups”, working with international partners including Dubai police.
He said the case also demonstrated the value of Ireland’s relationship with UAE authorities at both judicial and police levels.
The UAE and Ireland have an extradition treaty, and the justice ministers of both countries issued a joint statement welcoming Kinahan’s extradition.
The statement described him as “one of the most high-profile individuals sought for prosecution in connection with transnational organised crime” and said he was accused of directing an organised crime organisation.
Irish Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan called the extradition a “landmark of judicial cooperation between the two countries”. He praised “the professionalism, efficiency, and diligence demonstrated by the UAE judicial authorities throughout the extradition proceedings”.
His UAE counterpart, Abdullah bin Sultan bin Awad Al Nuaimi, said the extradition demonstrated a “steadfast commitment” to supporting global efforts against transnational organised crime.
What is the Kinahan Cartel?
The UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) has previously said the Kinahan cartel was responsible for importing tonnes of drugs and firearms around the world and had been linked to more than a dozen gangland murders.
The US Treasury Department described the Kinahan cartel as one of the world’s most dangerous organised crime groups when it imposed sanctions on Kinahan and other members of his family in April 2022.
The US has compared the group with organised crime organisations including Italy’s Camorra, Mexico’s Los Zetas and Japan’s Yakuza.
A reward of up to $5m has been offered by the US for information leading to the arrest or conviction of Daniel Kinahan, his father Christopher Snr and his brother Christopher Jnr.
Former Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has estimated that the gang made more than €1bn (£857m) globally from its criminal activities. The Kinahan cartel became involved in a long-running gangland feud in Ireland that claimed 18 lives.
Kinahan himself was targeted in an attempted shooting at Dublin’s Regency Hotel in 2016 during a boxing weigh-in event. He later left Ireland and lived in Spain before moving to Dubai.
Previous Convictions
The extradition agreement between Ireland and the UAE was previously used to bring Sean McGovern, described as a “senior lieutenant” in the Kinahan organised crime group, back to Ireland. McGovern was sentenced to 24 years in prison in June for directing the activities of a criminal organisation.
In 2022, Thomas Kavanagh, whom the NCA said ran the group’s criminal operations in the UK, was sentenced to 21 years in prison. Gary Vickery received a 20-year sentence, while Daniel Canning was sentenced to 19 and a half years.