Daniel Kinahan, 49, is being flown from Dubai to Dublin aboard a £39 million government jet to face a charge of directing a criminal organisation. The Dassault Falcon 6X, typically used to transport the Taoiseach and government ministers, took off from Dubai's Al Maktoum International Airport this morning and is due to land at Baldonnel Airport at around 7.20pm tonight.
Security operation in place
Upon arrival, Kinahan is expected to be arrested and brought to the Special Criminal Court under armed Garda escort. The Irish Prison Service has purchased a bulletproof and bombproof van for transporting high-risk prisoners. The operation involves armed officers from An Garda Síochána, the Irish Defence Forces, and the Irish Prison Service. Multiple Garda units, including the Armed Support Unit, Emergency Response Unit, National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, and Garda Air Support, are expected to participate.
Details of the charge
The charge relates to allegations concerning the Kinahan-Hutch feud, which began in September 2015. It is understood to include claims that Kinahan directed the Kinahan organised crime group in an alleged attempt to murder Hutch associate James 'Mago' Gately between October 2015 and mid-2017, and an alleged plot targeting Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch in Lanzarote in December 2015.
The allegations rely in part on encrypted communications from PGP devices, which Gardaí believe were used by Kinahan and associates, including Sean McGovern, who was convicted of directing an organised crime group and jailed for 24 years. During McGovern's case, the Special Criminal Court heard of a message sent to a person using the handle 'Cap' following the Regency Hotel shooting, referring to targeting a member of the Hutch family.
Security measures at Portlaoise Prison
Kinahan is expected to be held on remand at maximum-security Portlaoise Prison, where security measures have been increased. Road closures are expected in Dublin during his transfer to the Special Criminal Court. Sources say he will be brought under heavy armed escort, possibly using an unmarked Garda vehicle, with alternative arrangements considered due to security concerns.
The allegations against Kinahan have not been tested at trial, and he has not been convicted of the offences.
