Sunday 1 November 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. 7633Directing a criminal gang · Co. Dublin

Gardaí seek charges against three men over Dublin crime gang

The Kinahan cartel, a drugs and crime organisation based in Dublin, has been the subject of a major Garda investigation. Daniel Kinahan, 46, Christy Kinahan Sr, 66, and Christopher Kinahan Junior, 42, are believed to be the leaders of the group and are currently outside the EU, with Daniel believed to be in Dubai. In August 2023, senior detectives formally asked the Director of Public Prosecutions to charge all three men with directing a crime gang, an offence carrying a maximum sentence of life. The DPP is considering the Garda file and a decision is expected in the coming months.

  1. Reported
  2. Arrested
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
The Kinahan cartel is a drugs and crime organisation based in Dublin.
Where
Daniel Kinahan is believed to be in Dubai and the three men are outside the EU.
When
The US government announced sanctions against the cartel and a $15M reward approximately a year before April 2023.
Investigation
  • Significant advances have been made in the investigation, particularly in Europe and with US federal law enforcement partners.
  • The Garda file was sent to the DPP in the weeks before August 2023.
Charges
Gardaí have formally asked the DPP to charge Christy Kinahan Sr, Daniel Kinahan, and Christopher Kinahan Junior with directing a crime gang, an offence carrying a maximum sentence of life.
In court
The DPP is considering the Garda file and a decision is expected in the coming months.
Other details
  • The US Treasury Department announced a $15M reward for information leading to the prosecution of the three men.
  • UAE authorities imposed sanctions targeting bank accounts connected to the Kinahan cartel.
  • Sources say there is less evidence against Christy and Christopher Kinahan, making prosecution less likely for them.
  • The European Arrest Warrant cannot be used because the men are outside the EU.
  • Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said he is confident Daniel Kinahan will face charges.
17 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereDaniel Kinahan is in Dubai. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereDaniel Kinahan is believed to be in Dubai. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationSignificant advances have been made in the investigation, particularly in Europe and with US federal law enforcement partners. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe Garda file was sent to the DPP in recent weeks. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationGardaí say they have gathered significant evidence against Daniel Kinahan. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationSources say there is less evidence against Christy and Christopher Kinahan, so a prosecution is less likely for them. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeGardaí have asked for the three leaders of the Kinahan cartel to be charged with an offence carrying a maximum sentence of life. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeThe requested offence is directing a crime gang. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherGarda Commissioner Drew Harris said he is confident Daniel Kinahan will face charges. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe comment was made at the annual conference of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe US government announced sanctions against the cartel and a $15M reward for information leading to prosecution. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe US Treasury Department announced a $15M reward for information leading to the prosecution of Christy Kinahan Sr, Daniel Kinahan and Christy Jr. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherUAE authorities imposed sanctions targeting bank accounts connected to the Kinahan cartel. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe Kinahan gang has been significantly weakened over the last year. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherJustice Minister Simon Harris indicated significant progress has been made in the probe into the Kinahan cartel. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe DPP is considering the Garda file, and a decision is expected in the coming months. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe European Arrest Warrant cannot be used because the men are outside the EU. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 25 Aug2023
    Otheririshmirror.ie, first report
    Gardai ask prosecutors to charge all three Kinahan men with directing cartel

    First report that gardaí formally asked the DPP to charge the three Kinahan men with directing a crime gang. The DPP has not yet decided whether to charge them.

    suspect, Christy Kinahan, 66, named, irish (judged from name)Christy Kinahansuspect, Daniel Kinahan, 46, named, irish (judged from name)Daniel Kinahansuspect, Christopher Kinahan Junior, 42, named, irish (judged from name)Christopher Kinahan Junior
  2. 4 Apr2023
    Otheririshmirror.ie, follow-up
    Top garda confident mob boss Daniel Kinahan will face charges

    Garda Commissioner's statement at the annual conference of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors confirming the investigation is progressing, with a Detective Superintendent to be posted to the UAE in summer 2023; US $15M reward and UAE sanctions on Kinahan bank accounts referenced.

    suspect, Daniel Kinahan, male, named, irish (judged from name)Daniel Kinahansuspect, Christy Kinahan Sr, male, named, irish (judged from name)Christy Kinahan Srsuspect, Christy Jr, male, named, irish (judged from name)Christy Jr