Irish mafia boss Daniel Kinahan has been extradited from the UAE to Ireland

Irish mafia boss Daniel Kinahan has been extradited from the UAE to Ireland

Alleged Irish crime boss Daniel Kinahan was extradited from the United Arab Emirates to Ireland on Sunday and charged with directing the activities of a criminal organization.

Kinahan, 49, appeared before Dublin’s non-jury Special Criminal Court less than two hours after arriving aboard an Irish government jet, according to coverage by Irish Times security and crime editor Conor Lally. Kinahan was remanded in custody at the maximum-security Portlaoise Prison and is due to appear in court again on October 5.

He faces a single charge of directing a criminal organization between October 18, 2015, and April 6, 2017. Kinahan has not entered a plea, but has previously denied being a crime boss.

The Irish Times reported that Kinahan did not have a lawyer at the hearing. When Judge Patrick McGrath asked about the lack of legal representation, Kinahan said: “I didn’t have time to arrange anything.” He explained that he had been isolated in a Dubai prison before the extradition and had expected a relative to contact a lawyer.

After the judge explained that any application for bail would have to be made to the High Court, Kinahan replied: “I think we know I won’t be getting bail.”

He also told the court that he understood the proceedings and asked whether he had to decide immediately if he would attend his next hearing in person or by video link.

Kinahan was arrested at Casement Aerodrome near Dublin shortly after his arrival. His extradition was authorized by the Dubai Court of Cassation under an agreement between Ireland and the UAE, according to a joint statement issued by the countries’ justice ministers. He was detained in Dubai in April following an Irish extradition request.

UAE and Irish authorities described Kinahan as one of the most high-profile figures sought for prosecution in connection with transnational organized crime. The UAE statement said Irish authorities have accused him of leading an organized crime group, murder and drug trafficking, but he is currently charged in Ireland only with directing a criminal organization.

OCCRP reported in 2022 that the United States sanctioned Kinahan, his father, brother, and several associates after alleging they are leading members of an organized crime group. U.S. authorities said the network was involved in international drug and arms trafficking and money laundering. An OCCRP investigation that year also found that Kinahan was listed as owning an office in Dubai.