Suspected crime boss Daniel Kinahan to be returned to Ireland in high-security operation

Image source, Collins Photo AgencyImage caption, Daniel Kinahan pictured in 2016ByEimear Flanagan BBC News NI Published1 hour agoA large-scale security operation is in place in the Republic of Ireland as the authorities prepare for the extradition of alleged crime boss Daniel Kinahan.The 49-year-old was arrested in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in April and on Saturday an Irish government jet flew to Dubai to prepare to collect him.The plane is expected to return to Dublin on Sunday and Kinahan will then be taken to the Special Criminal Court. Ahead of the extradition, the Irish Prison Service bought a bulletproof and bombproof van which can be used to escort prisoners who are considered high-risk. Irish authorities are expected to prosecute him for his involvement in leading an organised crime group.Kinahan is not only wanted by the authorities in Ireland - the US Treasury Department once described the Kinahan cartel as one of the most dangerous in the world.The US government imposed sanctions on Kinahan in April 2022 after he and other members of his family were identified as leaders of the Kinahan organised crime cartel.He fought attempts to extradite him back to his native country, where the Kinahan cartel was involved in a long-running gangland feud that claimed 18 lives.Kinahan himself became a target for murder and escaped an attempt on his life during a fatal shooting at a Dublin hotel in 2016.He left Ireland and spent time living in Spain and more recently in Dubai, where a warrant for his arrest was issued by the Irish courts in April. He appealed the extradition order over the past few months but his attempts were unsuccessful.It is expected that shortly after his arrival in Ireland he will be taken to the non-jury Special Criminal Court in Dublin to face charges for alleged involvement in leading an organised crime group.Image source, CAROLINE QUINN/GETTY IMAGESImage caption, Gangland rivals tried to shoot Daniel Kinahan during a boxing weigh-in event in Dublin's Regency Hotel 10 years agoSunday's security operation will involve armed gardaí (Irish police) and members of the Irish Defence Forces as well as the Irish Prison Service, according RTÉ News. The broadcaster also said facilities have been upgraded in the maximum-security Portlaoise Prison in County Laois where he is expected to be held on remand. An extradition agreement is in place between the UAE and Ireland and it was used to extradite Sean McGovern, a "senior lieutenant" in the organised crime group.He was sentenced to 24 years in prison in June for directing the activities of a criminal organisation.What is the Kinahan cartel?For more than 20 years the group has been responsible for importing tonnes of drugs and firearms around the world, the National Crime Agency (NCA) previously said.The NCA said the crime group is linked to more than a dozen gangland murders.According to former Gardaí (Irish police) Commissioner Drew Harris, the gang is estimated to have made more than €1bn (£836,590,000) globally from its activities.The US Treasury Department has in the past compared the gang to crime organisations such as Italy's Camorra, Mexico's Los Zetas and Japan's Yakuza.A reward of up to $5m (£3.84m) has also been offered by the US for information on the three most senior Kinahan gang members - Daniel, his father Christopher Snr, 65, and brother Christopher Jnr.In 2022, Thomas Kavanagh, who the NCA said ran the group's criminal operations in the UK, was jailed for 21 years alongside Gary Vickery and Daniel Canning, who were sentenced to 20 years and 19 and a half years respectively.The NCA said evidence showed they were responsible for cocaine imports estimated to be up to £23.4m, and cannabis imports worth about £6.4m.Daniel Kinahan's lawyer previously told BBC Panorama that he has no criminal record or convictions and allegations about him being a crime boss are false and have no evidential basis.Related topicsOrganised crimeRepublic of IrelandDublinDubaiMore on this storyEncrypted texts key evidence against 'senior lieutenant' in Kinahan gang, court hearsPublished27 AprilSenior member of Kinahan crime group sentenced to 24 years in prisonPublished8 JuneKinahan: The true story of Ireland's mafiaPublished31 March 2025