Daniel Kinahan, alleged to be the head of the Kinahan organised crime group, has been arrested in the United Arab Emirates. The arrest follows an extradition warrant issued by the Irish courts in connection with serious organised crime offences.
Irish police confirmed they were aware of the detention of the man in his late 40s, which was carried out under the bilateral extradition agreement between Ireland and the UAE. A garda statement called the arrest an important demonstration of the need for international law enforcement cooperation in tackling transnational organised crime.
Dubai police said they had captured the Irish fugitive within 48 hours of receiving a judicial file from Irish authorities. The file detailed his alleged role in an international criminal network, leading to an arrest warrant from the Dubai public prosecution and the initiation of legal procedures for extradition.
Kinahan, who lives in the UAE and has denied involvement in organised crime, founded the MTK Global boxing management company. The firm once represented boxers including Tyson Fury and Billy Joe Saunders. In 2020, Fury thanked Kinahan for helping arrange a potential fight with Anthony Joshua, but later severed ties.
Irish Minister Jim O'Callaghan welcomed the arrest, stating it followed his request for extradition. He noted that Ireland and the UAE have strengthened cooperation on serious and organised crime, including signing extradition and mutual legal assistance treaties in 2025.
