Daniel Kinahan charged with directing organised crime group at Special Criminal Court
Daniel Kinahan, a 49-year-old Irish man from Dublin and alleged leader of the Kinahan organised crime group, was arrested in April 2026 in the United Arab Emirates on foot of an arrest warrant issued by Irish courts. He was extradited to Ireland on 9 August 2026, becoming the first person extradited from the UAE under the new permanent bilateral treaty, and was flown on an Irish Air Corps jet to Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnel. He was charged with directing an organised crime group and appeared at a special Sunday hearing at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin, where he was remanded in custody. His trial is expected to take place next year.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Charged9 Aug
- In court9 Aug
2 reports - Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Daniel Kinahan, a 49-year-old Irish man from Dublin and boxing promoter, is the alleged leader of the Kinahan organised crime group.
- Kinahan was arrested in April 2026 in the United Arab Emirates on foot of an arrest warrant issued by Irish courts.
- He was extradited to Ireland on 9 August 2026, becoming the first person extradited from the UAE to the Republic under the new permanent bilateral treaty.
- The extradition flight departed Al Maktoum International Airport at about 10:30am Irish time and landed at Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnel shortly after 6:30pm, though one report gives the arrival time as around 7:20pm.
- Investigation
- The Garda Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau conducted years of investigations into Kinahan's alleged activities.
- Charges
- Kinahan was charged with directing an organised crime group.
- In court
- He appeared at a special Sunday hearing at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin on 9 August 2026 and was remanded in custody.
- He is expected to be remanded at Portlaoise Prison until his trial next year.
- Other details
- The extradition was in accordance with the bilateral agreement between Ireland and the UAE, with the final decision issued after a judgment by the Dubai Court of Cassation.
- His associate Sean McGovern, previously extradited under a once-off arrangement, has been sentenced to 24 years.
32 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA male in his late 40s was arrested and charged with serious organised crime offences. (garda.ie)
- whatKinahan was arrested in the UAE on foot of an arrest warrant issued by Irish courts (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe Air Corps flight carrying Kinahan from Dubai landed in Dublin shortly after 6:30pm on Sunday (irishtimes.com)
- whatKinahan is 49 years old and from Dublin (irishtimes.com)
- whatKinahan is the first person extradited from the UAE to the Republic under the new permanent treaty (irishtimes.com)
- whatKinahan has lived openly in Dubai for 10 years with his wife and children (irishtimes.com)
- whatKinahan is expected to be remanded in custody at Portlaoise Prison until his trial next year (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe extradition flight departed Al Maktoum International Airport at about 10:30am Irish time on Sunday (irishtimes.com)
- whatA Defence Forces flight with a team of gardaí on board flew to Dubai on Saturday morning (irishtimes.com)
- whatDaniel Kinahan is a 49-year-old Dublin boxing promoter (dublinlive.ie)
- whatDaniel Kinahan is an alleged leader of the Kinahan organised crime group (dublinlive.ie)
- whereThe man was arrested in the UAE on foot of an arrest warrant issued by the Irish Courts. (garda.ie)
- whenDaniel Kinahan was arrested in April in the United Arab Emirates (dublinlive.ie)
- whenThe plane landed at Casement aerodrome in Baldonnel just after 6.30pm (dublinlive.ie)
- investigationHe was extradited following a judicial process in the UAE. (garda.ie)
- investigationThe Garda Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau conducted years of investigations into Kinahan's alleged activities (irishtimes.com)
- chargeKinahan is accused of directing an organised crime organisation (irishtimes.com)
- chargeDaniel Kinahan was charged with directing an organised crime group (dublinlive.ie)
- courtThe man is due to appear at the Special Criminal Court shortly. (garda.ie)
- courtKinahan was due to appear at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin on Sunday evening (irishtimes.com)
- courtDaniel Kinahan appeared before the Special Criminal Court in Dublin (dublinlive.ie)
- courtDaniel Kinahan was remanded in custody (dublinlive.ie)
- courtThe hearing at the Special Criminal Court was a special Sunday hearing (dublinlive.ie)
- courtThe final extradition decision was issued after a judgment by the Dubai Court of Cassation (dublinlive.ie)
- otherThe extradition was in accordance with the bi-lateral agreement on extradition between Ireland and the UAE. (garda.ie, irishtimes.com)
- otherThe extradition was facilitated by the logistical support of the Irish Air Corps. (garda.ie)
- otherGarda Commissioner Justin Kelly said the arrest shows determination to target transnational organised crime groups alongside Dubai Police. (garda.ie)
- otherGardaí will not make further comment as the matter will be before the courts. (garda.ie)
- otherDaniel Kinahan was flown on a £39 million government jet belonging to the Irish Air Corps from Dubai to Ireland (dublinlive.ie)
- otherDaniel Kinahan was whisked under armed guard from law enforcement and the Irish Defence Forces to the court (dublinlive.ie)
- otherThe ministers of justice for Ireland and the United Arab Emirates confirmed the extradition (dublinlive.ie)
- otherThe extradition was in accordance with the extradition treaty between Ireland and the UAE (dublinlive.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 10 Aug2026Daniel Kinahan charged with directing organised crime group
Reports the extradition of Daniel Kinahan from Dubai on a government jet and his charging at the Special Criminal Court with directing an organised crime group, with details of the armed escort, the special Sunday hearing, and the joint Irish-UAE ministerial confirmation of the extradition.
accused, Daniel Kinahan, 49, male, named, irish (judged from name)Daniel Kinahan - 9 Aug2026Daniel Kinahan arrested after extradition from Dubai, due to appear at Special Criminal Court this evening
Reports Kinahan's extradition from Dubai, his arrest, and court appearance at the Special Criminal Court. He is the first person extradited from the UAE to the Republic under the new permanent treaty. His associate Sean McGovern, previously extradited under a once-off arrangement, has been sentenced to 24 years.
accused, Daniel Kinahan, 49, male, Irish, named, irishDaniel Kinahanconvicted, Sean McGovern, named, irish (judged from name)Sean McGovern - 9 Aug202609/08/2026 Extradition and Arrest of a male for Serious Organised Crime Offences
Official Garda press release confirming the extradition from the UAE and charging with serious organised crime offences; includes a statement from Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly highlighting the role of Dubai Police and the Irish Air Corps in the operation.
accused, late 40s, male