Thursday 29 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 7712Directing an organised crime group · Co. Dublin · 9 Aug 2026

Garda Commissioner present as Daniel Kinahan returned to Dublin

On 9 August 2026, Daniel Kinahan, a 49-year-old man, was arrested by Detective Sergeant Colin Davidson on the runway at Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnel, south Co Dublin, after being flown back from Dubai on an Air Corps jet. He was charged with directing a crime gang, brought to the Special Criminal Court in Dublin and remanded in custody. The case names David Byrne as the victim, and Christy Kinahan, Christopher Kinahan and Sean McGovern are also listed as suspects. The latest development is that Kinahan is held in Portlaoise Prison in Co Laois, and his trial is likely to be late next year.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court13 Aug
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Daniel Kinahan, 49, was flown back from Dubai on an Air Corps jet, a €53 million Dassault Falcon 6X, after an eight-hour flight.
  • Detective Sergeant Colin Davidson arrested Kinahan on the runway, and Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly was present.
Where
  • Kinahan was arrested at Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnel, south Co Dublin.
  • Kinahan is held in Portlaoise Prison in Co Laois.
When
  • The arrest took place on 9 August 2026, on a Sunday evening.
  • The trial is likely to be late next year.
Charges
Kinahan was charged with directing a crime gang.
In court
Kinahan was brought to the Special Criminal Court in Dublin and remanded in custody.
Sentence
The maximum penalty upon conviction is life in prison.
Investigation
The Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau spent 10 years on the Kinahan cartel cases, and the Emergency Response Unit mounted a significant security operation for the arrest.
Other details
  • Christy Kinahan, 69, and Christopher Kinahan, 45, are also named as implicated bosses in the cartel.
  • Sean McGovern, 40, was convicted and jailed earlier this year.
  • The Kinahan cartel is described as a €1.5 billion drugs and crime cartel, Dubai has been Kinahan's bolthole since 2016, and almost 50 people from the group have been jailed for serious offences.
Cause
The feud erupted with an attack on the Regency Airport Hotel in north Dublin, and the feud with the Hutch mob has left 18 men dead.
20 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatKinahan was flown back from Dubai on an Air Corps jet. (dublinlive.ie)
  • whatThe jet was a €53 million Dassault Falcon 6X. (dublinlive.ie)
  • whatDetective Sergeant Colin Davidson arrested Kinahan on the runway. (dublinlive.ie)
  • whereKinahan was arrested at Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnel, south Co Dublin. (dublinlive.ie)
  • whereKinahan is in custody at Portlaoise Prison in Co Laois. (dublinlive.ie)
  • whereThe feud erupted with an attack on the Regency Airport Hotel in north Dublin. (dublinlive.ie)
  • whenThe flight from the UAE took eight hours. (dublinlive.ie)
  • whenThe trial is likely to be late next year. (dublinlive.ie)
  • investigationThe Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau spent 10 years working on the Kinahan cartel cases. (dublinlive.ie)
  • investigationA significant security operation was mounted by the Emergency Response Unit. (dublinlive.ie)
  • chargeKinahan was charged with directing a crime gang. (dublinlive.ie)
  • courtKinahan was brought to the Special Criminal Court in Dublin. (dublinlive.ie)
  • courtKinahan was remanded in custody. (dublinlive.ie)
  • sentenceThe maximum penalty upon conviction is life in prison. (dublinlive.ie)
  • otherThe Kinahan cartel is a €1.5 billion drugs and crime cartel. (dublinlive.ie)
  • otherChristy Kinahan, 69, and Christopher Kinahan, 45, are also implicated as bosses in the cartel. (dublinlive.ie)
  • otherSean McGovern, 40, was convicted and jailed earlier this year. (dublinlive.ie)
  • otherThe feud with the Hutch mob left 18 men dead. (dublinlive.ie)
  • otherDubai was Kinahan's bolthole since 2016. (dublinlive.ie)
  • otherAlmost 50 people from the Kinahan group were incarcerated for serious offences around firearms, drug trafficking, and money laundering. (dublinlive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 13 Aug2026
    In courtdublinlive.ie, first report
    Garda chief 'faced down' Daniel Kinahan as mob boss returned to Dublin

    Commissioner Kelly confirms he was personally present at the arrest, praises the 10-year Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau investigation, states the force is not finished with the Kinahan cartel, and details the security operation including Emergency Response Unit, air support, and Special Tactics and Operations team.

    accused, Daniel Kinahan, 49, male, named, irish (judged from name)Daniel Kinahansuspect, Christy, 69, male, named, irish (judged from name)Christysuspect, Christopher, 45, male, named, irish (judged from name)Christopherconvicted, Sean McGovern, 40, male, named, irish (judged from name)Sean McGovernvictim, David Byrne, male, irish (judged from name)David Byrne