Kinahans’ Dubai ‘safe haven’ days numbered in new crackdown pressure but how ‘fractured’ Irish mob still ‘w...
THE Kinahan cartel still “wields power” in global drugs trafficking despite its Irish collapse, a senior officer has revealed.
Ahead of the 10th anniversary of the notorious Regency Hotel murder of David Byrne, Detective Superintendent Dave Gallagher says that Dubai authorities will return senior gang figures to Ireland if the Director of Public Prosecutions decides they should be charged.
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Christy ‘Dapper Don’ Kinahan still resides in the desert state of Dubai
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Christopher Kinahan Jnr, one of Christy’s sons, is living there with himCredit: Crispin Rodwell – The Sun Dublin
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Mob boss Daniel Kinahan has a $5m bounty on his head, like the other three
We can also reveal that officials have received “feedback” from offers of witness protection and a $15million bounty to bring down the Kinahan leadership.
Det Supt Gallagher told The Irish Sun: “I think the message to the criminal underworld is that Dubai now is collaborating with ourselves, there’s a treaty in place and this misperceived notion that it is a safe haven is not correct.”
The Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau is making a fresh push on the Kinahan probe a decade on from the Hutch-orchestrated Regency attack.
Mob boss Daniel Kinahan escaped with his life but his senior lieutenant David Byrne was blasted to death.
The murder, on February 5, 2016, triggered a war on Irish streets — led by the ruthless cartel bosses directing from Dubai and the UK.
But the work of the gardai and law enforcement agencies abroad has seen dozens of Kinahan assassins, enablers and facilitators put behind bars.
Daniel, 47, his brother Christy Jnr, 45, and their 68-year-old father Christy ‘Dapper Don’ Kinahan still reside in the desert state of Dubai.
Although they once controlled their cocaine from its source in South America to the streets of Dublin, they have adapted their business over the last number of years due to the pressure from gardai and international law enforcement including the US Drug Enforcement Administration.
Det Supt Gallagher said: “If you’re asking me what sort of position the Kinahan organisation is in now, I’d say it’s been impacted by the work of An Garda Siochana over the last number of years with some significant people — particularly those people in leadership roles — imprisoned and out of circulation.
“Some of the main leadership are still based abroad, and while they wouldn’t have the same fingerprint they did have at one point in Ireland and the UK with regards to hands-on distribution and importation of controlled drugs to this jurisdiction, they certainly still wield power internationally.
“And at that transnational level, and with regard to higher scale importations into mainland Europe.
“But at one point they probably would have controlled the importations from South America almost down to the distribution on the streets in our neighbourhoods — and that’s been fractured now.”
He added: “They still have a heavy fingerprint involved with other significant organised crime groups, international organised crime groups, in arranging and facilitating and financing the importation of cocaine from South America into Europe and onwards to Ireland.”
KINAHANS DOWNFALL PODCAST
‘KINAHANS Downfall’ is the follow-up podcast to the international smash hit ‘The Kinahans’.
Millions of people listened to the first series which told the story of the ‘Dapper Don’ Christy Kinahan Snr’s improbable rise to become international criminal kingpin.
It finished up in 2023, just after the gang’s leaders were hit with US sanctions and a collective $15million bounty placed on their heads.
At that time, it seemed as if the end was imminent for Christy and his sons, Daniel and Christopher.
Kinahans Downfall, narrated again by the Irish Sun’s Damien Lane, reveals how the gang’s wealth has only grown in the meantime.
But while they flourish on the international stage, we reveal how the gang was dismantled in Ireland.
Using reconstructed garda wire taps, we unmask the kill crews who cops took down one by one.
The ten-episode series is available wherever you get your podcasts.
The first two episodes drop on January 28, with two more available every Wednesday.
Listen to the trailer now on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get yours.
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Scan the QR code above to access the podcast
A brand new 10-part Irish Sun podcast ‘Kinahans Downfall’ details how the Irish State took down the cartel as its leaders lived in exile.
LIVING IN CONSTANT FEAR
The follow-up to the international hit ‘The Kinahans’ podcast explains why Daniel, his brother Christopher and their dad now live in constant fear in the UAE desert.
Det Supt Gallagher is one of the country’s leading officers leading the charge against the gang’s leadership after helping to all but wipe them out as a domestic force.
He explained how there was massive work involved in building a trusting relationship between the UAE and the gardai, as well as on a political level.
Dubliner Sean McGovern was extradited from the country in May 2025 to face five charges, including the murder of Noel ‘Duck Egg’ Kirwan and facilitating a conspiracy to murder James ‘Mago’ Gately.
FILES BEING EXAMINED
McGovern was arrested and subsequently extradited after an Interpol red notice was issued.
Treaties for extradition and mutual legal assistance between Ireland and the UAE were then established afterwards.
At the same time, the DPP is examining two files relating to Daniel, who runs the day-to-day operations of the cartel.
Cops have recommended charging Daniel with directing a criminal organisation.
But at one point they probably would have controlled the importations from South America almost down to the distribution on the streets in our neighbourhoods — and that’s been fractured now.”
Detective Superintendent Dave Gallagher
He also features in a DPP file in relation to the murder of Eddie Hutch at his home, just days after the Regency attack.
Det Supt Gallagher has no doubt that the UAE will back Irish authorities again if called upon, with high-level meetings taking place there in late 2025.
‘TREATY IN PLACE’
Mr Gallagher told us: “I myself have been out in Dubai and Abu Dhabi a number of times, we’ve had Dubai police officers here in Ireland.
“I suppose as a small country like Ireland the relationship we’ve managed to build with regards to this investigation on organised crime is very good with the authorities in Dubai.
“They have a different legal system. We have to be mindful of that. But we’ve built an understanding and we collaborate with regards to organised crime.
“We’ve got one person successfully back, we have an extradition treaty in place now.
“I would be satisfied that if we meet the evidential standards for prosecution in Ireland and we engage with Dubai, with regards to bringing some of our criminals back from there, it will be successful in the future.”
‘OUR JOB NOW IS TO REACT’
A $15million bounty from the US Government remains on the heads of Daniel, his brother and father from US sanctions issued in 2022, while an offer of witness protection also remains on the table.
Det Supt Gallagher told how since the Kinahan and Hutch feud, multiple disputes — including in Drogheda and Coolock — have been stamped out quickly and effectively.
But he added: “When you’re dealing with money, you’re dealing with drugs and double crosses, and feuds can break out.
“But I suppose our job now is to react effectively and swiftly.”
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David Byrne was shot dead in 2016
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His murder took place at the Regency Hotel in DublinCredit: Niall Carson/PA Wire
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The 10th anniversary of the attack on the hotel is approaching
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Detective Superintendent Dave Gallagher has sent a warning to the Kinahan cartelCredit: Gary Ashe – Commissioned by The Sun
