Daniel Kinahan, the alleged leader of the Kinahan organised crime group, remained silent during a brief hearing at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin on Monday, where a bail application is expected to be made in the coming weeks.
The 49-year-old appeared via video link, charged with directing the activities of a criminal organisation between October 18, 2015 and April 6, 2017. He was arrested in the United Arab Emirates on April 15 under an arrest warrant issued by the Irish courts, following a bilateral extradition agreement between Ireland and the UAE.
Extradition and court appearance
Kinahan was flown to Ireland on an Irish government jet in August and taken by high-speed Garda escort to court in Dublin, where he was formally charged.
During Monday's hearing, Darragh Mackin from Phoenix Law in Belfast made a formal application to come on record as Kinahan's solicitor. Mackin expressed gratitude for the court's accommodation last week when the case was adjourned to allow him to attend to other matters.
Bail application and legal proceedings
Mackin told the court that papers would be lodged and a bail application made in due course through the High Court. He said the trial timetable needs to factor in expert examination of digital evidence.
He also stated that they are seeking full disclosure regarding two other investigations in Spain and Dubai, in which Kinahan was acquitted in other jurisdictions.
Prosecution details and remand
Prosecution barrister Dominic McGinn SC said the accused was extradited in August on a single charge, describing a "complex factual matrix" behind it. The statement of fact runs to 189 pages, and the book of evidence will take several weeks to prepare.
Mackin raised no issues with these matters but asked that they be factored into the timetable. Wearing a grey suit, black shirt and glasses, Kinahan did not speak during the hearing. He was remanded in custody and will appear in court again on December 21.
