Daniel Kinahan, a 49-year-old suspected crime boss, has appeared before Ireland’s Special Criminal Court in Dublin after being extradited from Dubai.
Kinahan was returned to the Republic of Ireland on an Irish government jet on Sunday evening. The aircraft landed at Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnel after 18:00 local time, where he was arrested by gardaí and charged.
He is accused of directing the activities of a criminal organisation between 18 October 2015 and 6 April 2017. After a non-jury hearing lasting 13 minutes, the court remanded him in custody until 5 October.
A major security operation accompanied his transfer from the aerodrome to the Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin. Ahead of the extradition, the Irish Prison Service bought a vehicle described as bulletproof and bombproof for transporting prisoners considered high-risk.
Kinahan appeared before judges Patrick McGrath, Sarah Berkeley and Fiona Lydon wearing a black hooded top. He had no legal representation at the hearing and told the court he had not had time to arrange it. He was told that he could seek bail through the High Court, replying: “I think we all know I won’t be getting bail, but thank you for your time.”
Extradition and official response
Kinahan was arrested in the United Arab Emirates in April and unsuccessfully challenged efforts to extradite him to Ireland. Ireland and the UAE have an extradition treaty, and justice ministers from both countries issued a joint statement welcoming his return.
Irish Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan called the extradition a “landmark of judicial cooperation between the two countries”. UAE Justice Minister Abdullah bin Sultan bin Awad Al Nuaimi said it demonstrated a commitment to international efforts against transnational organised crime.
Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly said the arrest reflected the force’s determination to target transnational organised crime groups with international partners, including Dubai police.
Allegations surrounding the Kinahan cartel
The National Crime Agency has previously said the Kinahan cartel was responsible for importing large quantities of drugs and firearms internationally and had been linked to more than a dozen gangland murders. The US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Kinahan and members of his family in April 2022, identifying them as leaders of the organised crime group.
Kinahan’s lawyer previously told BBC Panorama that he has no criminal record or convictions, and that allegations describing him as a crime boss are false and lack an evidential basis.
Source: BBC News
