An Irish fugitive who arranged “the biggest fight in British boxing history” on behalf of Tyson Fury, has been arrested in the United Arab Emirates.
An alleged crime boss, Daniel Kinahan, has been arrested in the United Arab Emirates, Irish police have confirmed. The 48-year-old fugitive is suspected of having a “role in an international organised crime network”.
Irish police said they were aware of the carrying out of an arrest warrant issued by the Irish courts in relation to alleged serious organised crime offences. The gardai said the arrest is in accordance with the bilateral agreement on extradition between Ireland and United Arab Emirates. Dubai Police confirmed the arrest took place on Wednesday (April 15).
Kinahan is alleged to be the leader of the Kinahan organised crime group. The High Court in Dublin previously named him as a senior figure in an organised crime gang involved in international drug trafficking operations and firearm offences.
A gardai statement said the arrest was an “important demonstration of the need for international law enforcement co-operation in tackling transnational organised crime”. The statement said: “The arrest of the Irish national in Dubai remains a matter for the authorities in the United Arab Emirates at this time.
“An Garda Siochana has been steadfast in our determination that we would pursue those allegedly involved in serious organised criminal activity, wherever they go. Today’s arrest is another extremely important demonstration of the need for international law enforcement co-operation in tackling transnational organised crime.
“An Garda Siochana 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.
Dubai Police said they had arrested an “Irish fugitive for his alleged role in an international organised crime network”. A spokesperson said: “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 April 15, 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.”
Who is Daniel Kinahan?
Kinahan is an Irish boxing promoter and suspected crime boss, named by the High Court of Ireland as a senior figure in organised crime on a global scale. The Criminal Assets Bureau has stated he “controlled and managed” the operations of the Kinahan Organised Crime Group (commonly called the Kinahan Cartel), a criminal organisation which smuggles drugs and firearms into Ireland, the UK, and mainland Europe, and “has associations that facilitate international criminal activity in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and South America”.
The Kinahan Cartel has had an ongoing feud with the Hutch Gang which began in 2015, when Gary Hutch was murdered in Marbella, Spain by the Kinahan gang. As of August 2021, at least 18 people are thought to have been killed in the feud.
As of 2019, Kinahan and his brother Christopher Jr. have lived in Dubai with a residence in the Palm Jumeirah, according to the Office of Foreign Assets Control. He has been married to Caoimhe Robinson since 2017 – formerly the partner of murdered drug lord Micka Kelly.
Tyson Fury and Daniel Kinahan
Kinahan’s involvement in boxing caused controversy in 2020 when heavyweights Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua reached an agreement in principle for a two-fight deal, which pundits touted as the “biggest fight in British boxing history”. Fury publicly thanked Kinahan for helping to broker the agreement, saying: “Big shout-out Dan, he got this done, literally over the line, two-fight deal, Tyson Fury versus Anthony Joshua next year.”
However, within weeks Fury’s team announced that Kinahan would no longer negotiate for him. Later that year, the Irish government expressed its “outrage” over the involvement of Kinahan in the brokering of the proposed boxing agreement, leading to Kinahan being named in the Irish parliament, Dáil Éireann, and being singled out by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, the country’s prime minister.