Daniel Kinahan's flight from Dubai to Ireland was the most tracked in the world on Sunday, according to FlightRadar24. The alleged cartel boss was brought to face court onboard the Government jet, a Dassault Falcon 6X, and was later charged with directing the activities of a criminal organisation.
Arrest and Extradition
Kinahan was arrested in Dubai in April after a 200-page dossier detailing allegations against him was reportedly handed to UAE prosecutors. The dossier described how the cartel he allegedly leads was involved in murders, kill bids, gun and drug offences and money laundering. UAE authorities rejected his appeal last month, clearing the way for extradition.
The Irish Air Corps' €53million Dassault Falcon 6X took off from Dubai at 10.20am Irish time on Sunday and landed at Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnel at 6.30pm. At one point more than 43,000 people were tracking the flight on FlightRadar24.
Arrest and Court Appearance
Kinahan was arrested on the tarmac by Detective Sergeant Colin Davidson of the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau at 6.49pm. He was then taken under heavy armed escort to the Criminal Courts of Justice on Parkgate Street, arriving at 7.10pm.
As crowds gathered outside the court, a huge security operation was in place. Armed cops escorted Kinahan, and undercover officers were seen wearing body armour as they scanned the courtroom before he was brought in. A bulletproof and bombproof van had been bought by the Irish Prison Service ahead of the extradition, and it is expected to be used to transport him during his trial.
Charges and Remand
Kinahan was brought before the court at 8.09pm and left at 8.23pm. He was charged with directing the activities of a criminal organisation between October 18, 2015 and April 6, 2017. He did not have to enter a plea at this stage.
Dressed in a black hoody, Kinahan did not have legal representation and told the court he did not have time to arrange this. A judge said an application for bail would have to be made to the high court due to the severity of the charge. Kinahan said: "I understand. I think we know I won’t be getting bail, but thank you."
After the hearing, he was taken under armed police custody to Portlaoise prison, where he will likely stay on remand ahead of his trial. Kinahan has always denied any criminal involvement. His 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.
