Suspected Kinahan gang leader faces extradition
The ex-boxing promoter was previously named in court as the head of an international drug cartel.
Daniel Kinahan, believed to be a leader of the Kinahan gang, is reportedly facing extradition to Ireland.
Kinahan, who was photographed in 2016 at the funeral of shooting victim David Byrne, was apprehended in Dubai under an Irish warrant issued in April. Despite his attempts to fight extradition, his appeals have been unsuccessful, and he is anticipated to be flown back to Ireland within weeks, according to BBC News NI.
Irish police, known as Gardaí, expect authorities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to imminently sign his extradition order, formally initiating the process.
Bringing the suspected gang leader back to Ireland will necessitate a significant security operation involving both the Gardaí and the Irish Defence Forces.
In April 2022, the US government imposed sanctions on Kinahan and other family members, identifying them as leaders of the Kinahan organized crime cartel. Kinahan also had connections to the sports world through his now-defunct boxing management company, MTK Global, which represented over 100 boxers, including Tyson Fury and Carl Frampton.
Kinahan is now expected to appear before Irish courts in the coming weeks, having previously been named as the head of the drug cartel. Irish authorities plan to prosecute him for his alleged involvement in leading an organized crime group.
An extradition agreement exists between the UAE and Ireland, which was previously utilized to extradite Sean McGovern, described as a "senior lieutenant" in the organized crime group. McGovern was sentenced last month to 24 years in prison for directing criminal organization activities.
Ten years ago, rival gang members attempted to shoot Daniel Kinahan during a boxing weigh-in event at Dublin's Regency Hotel. On February 5, 2016, this assassination attempt, known as the Regency Hotel shooting, resulted in the death of Kinahan associate David Byrne and injuries to two others. This incident was part of the Hutch-Kinahan feud, which has claimed 18 lives to date.
In a statement to BBC NI, the Gardaí confirmed they are "aware of the arrest and ongoing detention of an Irish national in the United Arab Emirates." They added that "Any questions on the arrest and detention of the Irish national in Dubai remains a matter for the authorities in the United Arab Emirates at this time."
The statement continued, "An Garda Síochána has been steadfast in our determination that we would pursue those allegedly involved in serious organised criminal activity, wherever they go. An Garda Síochána has developed many major international partnerships in our efforts to target transnational organised crime groups."
Encrypted texts were presented as key evidence against a "senior lieutenant" in the Kinahan gang, as heard in court. The true story of Ireland's mafia, the Kinahan group, has been widely reported, with a senior member of the crime group recently sentenced to 24 years in prison.