Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation after Dubai extradition

Alleged Irish crime boss Daniel Kinahan, 49, appeared before the Special Criminal Court in Dublin hours after being flown from the UAE. He was remanded in custody at Portlaoise Prison.

Kinahan before Dublin court after extradition from UAE

Alleged Irish crime boss Daniel Kinahan, 49, was extradited from the United Arab Emirates to Ireland on Sunday and charged with directing the activities of a criminal organisation, the Irish Independent reports.

Kinahan appeared before Dublin's non-jury Special Criminal Court less than two hours after arriving aboard an Irish government jet. He was remanded in custody at the maximum-security Portlaoise Prison and is due back before the court on 5 October.

He faces a single charge of directing a criminal organisation between 18 October 2015 and 6 April 2017. No plea has been entered; Kinahan has previously denied being a crime boss.

Kinahan told the court he had not had time to arrange legal representation, explaining that he had been isolated in a Dubai prison ahead of the extradition and had expected a relative to contact a solicitor on his behalf. After the presiding judge, Patrick McGrath, informed him that any bail application would have to be brought before the High Court, Kinahan replied: "I think we know I won't be getting bail."

He also confirmed he understood the proceedings and asked the court whether he was required to decide immediately whether to attend his next hearing in person or by video link.

Kinahan was arrested at Casement Aerodrome near Dublin shortly after landing. His extradition was authorised by the Dubai Court of Cassation under a bilateral agreement between Ireland and the UAE, according to a joint statement issued by both countries' justice ministers. He had been detained in Dubai in April following a formal Irish extradition request.

UAE and Irish authorities described Kinahan as one of the most high-profile individuals sought for prosecution in connection with transnational organised crime. Irish authorities have accused him of leading an organised crime group and of involvement in murder and drug trafficking, though he currently faces only the single charge of directing a criminal organisation in Ireland.

In 2022, the United States sanctioned Kinahan, his father, his brother, and several associates, alleging they were leading members of an organised crime network involved in international drug and arms trafficking and money laundering. A separate investigation that year found Kinahan was listed as the owner of an office in Dubai.

Source: Irish Independent