Alleged Kinahan cartel leader Daniel Kinahan was arrested in Dubai on Friday following surveillance by police, after a warrant was issued by an Irish court
(Image: Supplied)
Mob boss Daniel Kinahan found himself under the watchful eye of Dubai Police, who ultimately pounced on him – following clearance from Ireland.
The suspected kingpin of the Kinahan cartel (48) had been monitored in the UAE over recent days before officers made their move on Friday – following a warrant issued by an Irish court on 15th April.
Kinahan, a UAE resident for the last ten years, was taken completely by surprise when Dubai Police, supported by gardaí, detained him at his hideaway in a bold operation.
His detention followed lengthy negotiations between the Irish government and UAE officials – after gardaí submitted a file to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Gardaí had put forward that Kinahan face charges for directing a criminal organisation – and the DPP recently sanctioned the move, reports the Irish Mirror.
He’s now being detained in a Dubai prison and will appear before a court there where extradition proceedings are set to commence. Yet the crime boss, allegedly at the helm of the cartel’s activities throughout the brutal Kinahan Hutch feud, has the chance to challenge the extradition.
He’s permitted to engage legal representation and contest the extradition through the UAE court system – a procedure that could stretch across several months. Nevertheless, sources suggest proceedings might be accelerated due to a recently agreed extradition treaty between Ireland and the UAE. The development follows the successful extradition of Kinahan’s lieutenant Sean McGovern last year – who this year admitted guilt to his involvement in directing a criminal organisation.
Should he be found guilty, Kinahan faces a potential maximum sentence of life behind bars. Sources suggest his extradition to Ireland will probably trigger a security operation unprecedented in its magnitude. Both Gerry ‘The Monk’ Hutch and McGovern were previously transported to Baldonnel Airport via military aircraft, where charges were laid against them upon landing on the tarmac.
Sources indicate a similar procedure is anticipated – although there’s some discussion about whether the new government aircraft might be deployed to transport Kinahan back instead. A substantial Garda operation will subsequently unfold – with armed personnel accompanying the crime boss to the Criminal Courts of Justice building in Dublin – where he’s expected to appear before the non-jury Special Criminal Court.
Nevertheless, sources emphasise that security concerns surrounding the procedure will be enormous – requiring a comprehensive plan to be established.
In a significant statement, gardai confirmed that a male in his late 40s was detained following an arrest warrant issued by the Irish Courts concerning alleged Serious Organised Crime offences.
“The arrest is in accordance with the bi-lateral agreement on extradition between Ireland and United Arab Emirates.
“The arrest of the Irish National in Dubai remains a matter for the authorities in the United Arab Emirates at this time.
“An Garda Síochána has been steadfast in our determination that we would pursue those allegedly involved in serious Organised Criminal activity, wherever they go,” gardaí said.
“Today’s arrest is another extremely important demonstration of the need for international law enforcement co-operation in tackling transnational organised crime.
“An Garda Síochána has developed many major international partnerships in our efforts to target transnational organised crime groups.
“Our relationship with the authorities in the United Arab Emirates, the Ministry of Justice at judicial level, and on a police-to-police basis, is valued.
“This relationship has been supported by the Irish Government Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration and Department of Foreign Affairs.”
In their own statement, Dubai Police confirmed that working alongside the UAE Ministry of Interior, they have apprehended an Irish fugitive over his suspected involvement in an international organised crime network.
“The arrest comes as part of efforts to combat cross-border crime.
“The arrest followed the receipt of a judicial file from Irish authorities detailing the suspect’s alleged crimes and his involvement in an international criminal organisation. Based on the file, Dubai Public Prosecution issued an arrest warrant to initiate legal procedures ahead of his extradition.
“Specialised teams immediately launched intensive search and surveillance operations, leading to the suspect’s capture within 48 hours of the warrant being issued. Dubai Police confirmed that the arrest took place on 15 April, reflecting the force’s rapid response and operational readiness in handling international cases.
“Dubai Police further reaffirmed their commitment to supporting global efforts to combat organised crime and pursuing internationally wanted individuals. They also highlighted the importance of close cooperation with law enforcement agencies worldwide to enhance security, strengthen partnerships, and ensure safer communities.”
Meanwhile, Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan revealed he had spoken with the UAE’s Justice minister following the significant arrest.
“Today’s arrest follows my request to the UAE for extradition of this individual to face charges in Ireland.
“In recent years, the UAE and Ireland have worked closely together to advance criminal investigations into serious and organised crime, including the agreement of bilateral treaties on extradition and mutual legal assistance in 2025.
“I have spoken today with my UAE counterpart Minister of Justice, His Excellency Abdullah Sultan bin Awad Al Nuaimi, to express my thanks and to acknowledge the strong judicial cooperation in criminal matters between Ireland and the UAE,” he said. “I would like to commend all involved in today’s development, which is the result of tireless work by the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, officials in the Department of Justice with their UAE counterparts, the Department of Foreign Affairs and other agencies.’
Kinahan’s arrest follows more than two years after a substantial file was submitted to the DPP, recommending he face charges of directing a criminal gang – as well as for the feud-related murder of Eddie Hutch.
Taxi driver Eddie ‘Neddie’ Hutch (58) was gunned down at his residence on Poplar Row in Dublin’s inner city on February 8th, 2016. His killing occurred just three days after the audacious Hutch attack at the Regency Hotel – which resulted in the death of Kinahan cartel associate David Byrne.
Kinahan was the principal target of the assault at the Regency – orchestrated by the Hutch gang in retaliation for the killing of Gary Hutch in Spain in September of 2015. Nevertheless, he managed to flee the hotel, where a boxing weigh-in event was taking place – while McGovern sustained a gunshot wound to the leg and ultimately survived.
Kinahan was suspected of playing a key role in orchestrating the murder of Eddie Hutch – a brother of Gerry ‘The Monk’ Hutch – just three days afterwards. A file concerning that murder remains with the DPP – as it now directs that Kinahan be charged with directing the criminal gang responsible. The Kinahan cartel is believed to be responsible for 16 of the 18 killings that took place throughout the course of the feud – which first ignited when Gary Hutch attempted to assassinate Daniel in Spain in 2014.
As was recently reported, gardaí now believe the feud truly commenced when the Hutch gang sought to seize control and battled for dominance in the drugs trade.
Gary Hutch made an attempt on Kinahan’s life in August 2014 – however, the hitman targeted the wrong individual – shooting and wounding innocent boxer Jamie Moore in the process.
As part of a hastily arranged peace deal, Gary’s brother Patrick agreed to be shot in the leg by a Kinahan enforcer – and the Hutch mob paid more than €200,000 in compensation to end the feud with Kinahan.
However, Kinahan went back on the agreement and orchestrated Hutch’s murder. In November of that year, the Hutchs are believed to have attempted to kill Kinahan in retaliation while he was attending a boxing event at the Red Cow Hotel in Dublin – yet he escaped unharmed.
The Kinahans are then thought to have made an unsuccessful attempt on Gerry Hutch’s life in Lanzarote the following December.
A total of 18 men lost their lives throughout the feud – yet the conflict ultimately prompted a significant Garda crackdown on the Kinahans and eventually led to the feud dying down. Several of their most senior associates were imprisoned, and sweeping sanctions were eventually levied against the leadership of the Kinahan cartel by the United States Treasury Department in April 2022. These sanctions effectively signalled the end of the Kinahan’s grip on Ireland. The American government also announced a reward of 15 million dollars for anyone able to furnish information that could lead to the prosecution of Daniel Kinahan, his brother Christy, and their father Christy Sr.
The cartel, believed to be valued at over €1 billion, is no longer thought to be active in this country – yet it remains firmly in the crosshairs of both the gardaí and the American DEA.
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