Daniel Kinahan, alleged leader of the Kinahan organised crime group, has been arrested in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Irish police confirmed the arrest of a man in his late 40s, carried out under an arrest warrant issued by Irish courts for alleged serious organised crime offences.
The Gardaí stated that the arrest was made in accordance with the bilateral extradition agreement between Ireland and the UAE. A spokesperson described it as “an important demonstration of the need for international law enforcement cooperation in tackling transnational organised crime.”
Dubai police said they arrested an “Irish fugitive for his alleged role in an international organised crime network.” They added that specialised teams captured the suspect within 48 hours of receiving a judicial file from Irish authorities and an arrest warrant from Dubai public prosecution.
Kinahan, who lives in the UAE, has previously denied any involvement in organised crime and claimed to have no criminal convictions. He is the founder of MTK Global boxing management, which formerly represented fighters such as Billy Joe Saunders and Tyson Fury.
In 2016, an attempt was made on Kinahan’s life at a boxing weigh-in at the Regency Hotel in Dublin. His involvement in the sport drew controversy in 2020 when Tyson Fury thanked him for facilitating a fight agreement with Anthony Joshua, though Fury later announced Kinahan would no longer negotiate on his behalf.
Irish Minister Jim O'Callaghan welcomed the arrest, noting it followed his request to the UAE for extradition. He highlighted recent cooperation between Ireland and the UAE, including bilateral treaties on extradition and mutual legal assistance signed in 2025.
