Authorities in the United Arab Emirates have apprehended Daniel Kinahan.
Mr. Kinahan, a man in his forties, was arrested based on an arrest warrant issued by Irish courts for alleged serious organised crime offences.
An Garda Síochána confirmed their awareness of “the apprehension of an Irish national within the United Arab Emirates.”
They further stated that the matter of this arrest “currently falls under the jurisdiction of the United Arab Emirates authorities at this time.”
Gardaí also highlighted that this “arrest serves as another crucial example of the necessity for international law enforcement collaboration in combating cross-border organised crime.”
They specified that the apprehension was “in line with the bilateral extradition agreement established between Ireland and the United Arab Emirates.”
According to Dubai Police, the arrest occurred on April 15th.
Mr. Kinahan stands as one of the Kinahan Organised Crime Group’s three prominent figures, having relocated to the United Arab Emirates from Spain’s Costa del Sol after the killing of his associate and fellow gang member, David Byrne.
Byrne was fatally shot by the rival Hutch Organised Crime Group at the Regency Hotel in February 2016; however, Gardaí assert that Mr. Kinahan was the principal target and evaded death merely by taking a left turn while his assailants turned right.
This murder intensified the continuing Hutch-Kinahan feud, which has claimed 18 lives to date and prompted Gardaí to concentrate their efforts on the leadership of both organised crime factions.
Both the Government and Gardaí established connections with international law enforcement bodies across Europe, the Middle East, and the United States, leading to the US Treasury imposing sanctions on Kinahan gang leaders, including Daniel Kinahan, and offering a $5 million reward for details culminating in his apprehension.
The aforementioned arrest occurred two days prior in Dubai, subsequent to a thorough Garda investigation and the submission of a case file to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The Director of Public Prosecutions instructed that Mr. Kinahan face charges related to organised crime offences.
Gardaí obtained an arrest warrant for him in the High Court, which was subsequently sent to the UAE authorities.
His arrest, as a 47-year-old individual, proceeded under the terms of a bilateral agreement.
Thomas “Bomber” Kavanagh and Liam Byrne, both senior Kinahan gang members, have already received convictions and prison sentences in the UK.
Sean McGovern, identified as Mr. Kinahan’s close associate, was the inaugural individual to be extradited from the UAE; he is now awaiting sentencing at the SCC for organised crime charges and remains in detention in the United Arab Emirates pending his transfer back to Ireland for trial.
Jim O’Callaghan, the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs, and Migration, expressed his approval of the apprehension of an Irish national in the United Arab Emirates earlier today.
“This arrest today comes after my formal request to the UAE for the extradition of this person, so they may face charges in Ireland.
“Over recent years, the UAE and Ireland have collaborated extensively to progress criminal investigations into grave and organised criminal activities, encompassing the establishment of bilateral treaties for extradition and mutual legal assistance in 2025.
“I engaged in a conversation today with my UAE counterpart, Minister of Justice, His Excellency Abdullah Sultan bin Awad Al Nuaimi, to convey my gratitude and to recognise the robust judicial cooperation in criminal affairs between Ireland and the UAE.
“I wish to commend everyone contributing to today’s progress, which is the outcome of diligent efforts by the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Department of Justice officials alongside their UAE counterparts, the Department of Foreign Affairs, and various other agencies.”