Key facts
- An Irish government jet has departed for Dubai to extradite Daniel Kinahan.
- Kinahan is alleged to be a leading figure in the Kinahan organised crime group.
- He faces charges of directing organised crime, stemming from offenses over a decade ago.
- Kinahan has resided in Dubai since 2016 and was arrested in April on an Irish warrant.
- A new extradition treaty between Ireland and the UAE facilitated the process.
- Kinahan is expected to return to Ireland on Sunday and appear before the Special Criminal Court.
The process to extradite Daniel Kinahan to Ireland, where he faces charges for his alleged leadership of the Kinahan cartel, has commenced. A government jet, a Dassault Falcon 6X, departed Casement Aerodrome on Saturday morning, bound for Dubai. This strategic aircraft was chosen for its speed and non-stop refueling capability, crucial for the high-risk operation.
Kinahan, described as a major figure in Irish organised crime, has been living in Dubai since 2016. His arrest in April followed an arrest warrant issued by Irish courts, facilitated by a recent extradition treaty between Ireland and the United Arab Emirates. The charges against him relate to directing organised crime, including offenses linked to the decade-long Kinahan-Hutch feud.
Upon arrival in Dubai, Kinahan will be handed over to gardaí. The flight is expected to return to Dublin on Sunday afternoon, carrying Kinahan. He will then be transported to the Special Criminal Court for his initial appearance. Extensive security measures, including armed personnel and potentially military helicopters, are being prepared for his escort to the courthouse and subsequent transfer to Portlaoise Prison, where he will be held in a high-security unit.