Alleged cartel kingpin Daniel Kinahan has swapped Dubai luxury for a freshly painted cell in Ireland's toughest lockup after his dramatic extradition. The 49-year-old is currently settling into life on the high-security A4 landing at Portlaoise Prison following a late-night appearance at Dublin's Special Criminal Court.
Sharing the Wing with Notorious Felons
Despite heavy security, Kinahan is reportedly not being kept in isolation. He is sharing the maximum-security block with a rogues' gallery of infamous felons, including crystal meth importer Nathan McDonnell and triple murderer Andy Cash. Violent father-and-son duo Kenneth and Dean Fitzsimons are also housed on the same wing, reports the Irish Sun.
A source told the news outlet: "He's in much better surroundings than he would have experienced in a Dubai prison. There was obviously a security assessment done in advance of his arrival, so that's all been taken care of and staff are being extremely vigilant and stringent."
"It's early days, but Daniel Kinahan is mixing with others on his A-block landing – with no isolation. Despite obvious security issues, he's carrying on as normal."
Cell Comforts and Recreation
Kinahan's new digs might lack Middle Eastern glitz, but he isn't completely cut off from comfort. His spruced-up cell is said to come equipped with a television showing standard channels like RTÉ. For recreation, he has access to a reading room and a small gym area fitted with dumbbells, as well as entitlement to phone calls and visits from his legal team. Six bottles of water were also made available on arrival to keep him hydrated.
His journey to Portlaoise capped off a high-stakes, multi-agency operation. Kinahan was nabbed in the UAE on April 17 before being flown back to Ireland on a government jet under strict armed guard.
Court Appearance and Remand
Handcuffed and flanked by specialist officers during the eight-hour flight, the aircraft touched down at Baldonnel's Casement Aerodrome directly into a secured hangar. He was formally arrested by Detective Sergeant Colin Davidson and whisked under heavy armed convoy to the Criminal Courts of Justice.
Looking weary and clad in a baggy black tracksuit, Kinahan stepped into the dock surrounded by three armed Emergency Response Unit officers. He wiped his glasses, took in the packed courtroom, and voiced frustration that he hadn't yet spoken to his lawyers. Kinahan faces charges of directing the activities of a criminal organisation between October 2015 and April 2017. When Mr Justice Patrick McGrath explained that any bail application would need to go through the High Court, Kinahan cheekily replied: "I think we know I won't be getting bail - but thank you so much for explaining that."
Following the hearing, a four-jeep convoy backed by an Armed Support Unit and monitored by a Garda helicopter raced him to Portlaoise before 10pm, where around 200 onlookers had gathered outside. After surrendering his tracksuit and completing standard committal searches, he was handed prison blues and led to his immaculate cell. He has been remanded in custody until October 5, when he will appear before the Special Criminal Court either in person or via video link.
Portlaoise Prison has hosted some of Ireland's most notorious criminals over the decades, including INLA chief Dessie "The Border Fox" O'Hare, paramilitary gunman Dominic "Mad Dog" McGlinchey and gangland boss John Gilligan.
