Irish authorities are making plans to extradite Daniel Kinahan, an alleged leader of the Kinahan organised crime group, back to Ireland from Dubai.
Kinahan, in his late 40s, was arrested in the United Arab Emirates in April on foot of an arrest warrant issued by the Irish courts in relation to alleged serious organised crime offences. Preparations to extradite him are intensifying after it is understood he failed in legal efforts in Dubai to prevent the move.
Diplomatic Steps Still Required
Sources within the Irish authorities have stressed that no timeline has been finalised for Kinahan’s transportation back to Ireland, highlighting that while the legal process may have concluded, several diplomatic steps are still required to formalise the extradition plans. Kinahan’s arrest was carried out in accordance with a bilateral agreement on extradition between Ireland and the United Arab Emirates.
Criminal Background
The High Court in Dublin previously named Kinahan, who has recently been living in the UAE, as a senior figure in an organised crime gang involved in international drug trafficking and firearms offences. The Kinahan cartel was involved in a feud with the rival Hutch crime gang in Ireland, which began in 2015 and resulted in 18 deaths. In 2016, an attempt was made on Daniel Kinahan’s life at a boxing weigh-in at the Regency Hotel in Dublin.
Boxing Links and US Reward
Kinahan’s involvement in boxing caused controversy in 2020 when heavyweight Tyson Fury thanked him for reaching an agreement for him to take on Anthony Joshua. Fury said Kinahan was responsible for organising “the biggest fight in British boxing history”. But within weeks Fury’s team announced that Kinahan would no longer negotiate for him. In 2022, US authorities issued a reward of up to five million dollars (4.3 million euro/£3.7 million) for Kinahan’s arrest.
Garda Statement
A Garda spokesperson said: “An Garda Síochána has been steadfast in our determination that we would pursue those allegedly involved in serious organised criminal activity, wherever they go. An Garda Síochána has developed many major international partnerships in our efforts to target transnational organised crime groups. Our relationship with the authorities in the United Arab Emirates, the Ministry of Justice at judicial level, and on a police-to-police basis, is valued. This relationship has been supported by the Irish Government Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration and Department of Foreign Affairs.”
