Irish government jet leaves for UAE for Kinahan extradition
Daniel Kinahan was arrested in Dubai under a warrant issued by the Irish courts in April but has fought attempts to extradite him.
The Irish government's jet is en route to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as part of an effort to extradite Daniel Kinahan, a suspected crime boss.
Kinahan, who was apprehended in Dubai in April based on an Irish court warrant, has been contesting his extradition. His appeals have failed, and he is anticipated to be flown back to Ireland on Sunday, as reported by Irish broadcaster RTÉ.
Upon his arrival, he will be brought before the Special Criminal Court. Flightradar24, a real-time flight-tracking website, shows an Irish Air Corps plane nearing the UAE, currently the most-tracked flight on the site.
RTÉ also stated that a significant security operation will be implemented upon Kinahan's return to Ireland, and the prison service has enhanced facilities at the maximum-security Portlaoise Prison.
In April 2022, the US government sanctioned Kinahan and other family members, identifying them as leaders of the Kinahan organized crime cartel. Kinahan was also connected to the sports world through his former boxing management company, MTK Global, which represented over 100 boxers, including Tyson Fury and Carl Frampton.
Irish authorities are expected to prosecute him for his role in leading an organized crime group. An extradition agreement exists between the UAE and Ireland, which was previously used to extradite Sean McGovern, described as a "senior lieutenant" in the same organized crime group. McGovern was sentenced to 24 years in prison in June for directing a criminal organization's activities.