Dubai police swooped in on Daniel Kinahan once go ahead came from Ireland
Mob boss Daniel Kinahan was put under surveillance by Dubai Police who then swooped on him - once the go ahead came from Ireland.The alleged leader of the Kinahan cartel (48) was placed on surveillance in the UAE in recent days and officers then arrested on him on Friday - after the warrant was issued from a court in Ireland on the 15th of April.Kinahan, who has lived in the UAE for the past decade, was caught unaware, as Dubai Police, aided by gardai, lifted on him at his bolthole in a daring operation.His arrest came after years of talks between the Irish government and UAE authorities - as a file was sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) by gardai.Gardai had recommended that Kinahan be charged with directing a criminal organisation - and in recent days the DPP finally gave the go ahead for that to occur.He will now be held in a prison in Dubai and will be hauled before a court there where extradition proceedings will begin. However the mobster, who is suspected to have directed the cartel's operations amid the bloody Kinahan Hutch feud, does have the opportunity to fight the extradition.He will be entitled to hire a legal team and fight the extradition in the UAE courts - a process that may take several months. However sources say that the process may be sped along thanks to a recently brokered extradition agreement between Ireland and the UAE.The agreement comes after Kinahan's right-hand man Sean McGovern was successfully extradited last year - and this year pleaded guilty to his role in directing a criminal organisation.If convicted, Kinahan could face a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. Sources say his extradition to Ireland will likely spark a security operation on a scale not seen before. Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch and McGovern were both similarly flown into Baldonnel Airport on a military plane where they were then charged on the tarmac on arrival.Sources say the same process is likely - though there is some speculation that the new government jet may be used to fly Kinahan home instead. A major Garda operation will then follow - with armed units escorting the mob boss to the Criminal Courts of Justice building in Dublin - where he is likely to be brought before the non-jury Special Criminal Court.However sources say security fears around the process will be massive - and a major plan will now have to be put in place.In a major statement gardai said a male in his late 40s was arrested on foot of an arrest warrant issued by the Irish Courts in relation to alleged Serious Organised Crime offences."The arrest is in accordance with the bi-lateral agreement on extradition between Ireland and United Arab Emirates."The arrest of the Irish National in Dubai remains a matter for the authorities in the United Arab Emirates at this time."An Garda Síochána has been steadfast in our determination that we would pursue those allegedly involved in serious Organised Criminal activity, wherever they go," gardai said."Today's arrest is another extremely important demonstration of the need for international law enforcement co-operation in tackling transnational organised crime."An Garda Síochána 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."This relationship has been supported by the Irish Government Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration and Department of Foreign Affairs."In its own release Dubai Police said that in collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Interior, they have arrested an Irish fugitive for his alleged role in an international organised crime network.""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 15 April, 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."Meanwhile Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan said he spoke to the UAE's Justice minister following the momentous arrest."Today's arrest follows my request to the UAE for extradition of this individual to face charges in Ireland."In recent years, the UAE and Ireland have worked closely together to advance criminal investigations into serious and organised crime, including the agreement of bilateral treaties on extradition and mutual legal assistance in 2025."I have spoken today with my UAE counterpart Minister of Justice, His Excellency Abdullah Sultan bin Awad Al Nuaimi, to express my thanks and to acknowledge the strong judicial cooperation in criminal matters between Ireland and the UAE," he said."I would like to commend all involved in today's development, which is the result of tireless work by the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, officials in the Department of Justice with their UAE counterparts, the Department of Foreign Affairs and other agencies.'Kinahan's arrest comes over two years after a massive file was submitted to the DPP recommending that he be charged with directing a crime gang - and with the feud murder of Eddie Hutch.Taxi driver Eddie 'Neddie' Hutch (58) was shot dead at his home in Poplar Row in Dublin's inner city on February 8th, 2016. His murder came just three days after the daring Hutch hit at the Regency Hotel - which saw Kinahan cartel associate David Byrne shot dead.Kinahan was the primary target of the hit at the Regency - which was carried out by the Hutch mob in revenge for the murder of Gary Hutch in Spain in September of 2015. However he managed to escape the hotel, where a boxing weigh-in event was being held - while McGovern was shot in the leg and ultimately survived.Kinahan was suspected of a central role in directing the murder of Eddie Hutch - a brother of Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch, just three days later. A file in relation to that murder still sits with the DPP - as it now directs that Kinahan be charged over directing the crime gang responsible.The Kinahan cartel is responsible for 16 of the 18 murders that occurred during the course of the feud - which first erupted when Gary Hutch attempted to kill Daniel in Spain back in 2014.As we recently revealed, gardai now believe the feud really began when the Hutch gang tried to take over and fought for supremacy in the drugs market.Gary Hutch tried to have Kinahan murdered in August 2014 - but the hitman got the wrong man - shooting and injuring innocent boxer Jamie Moore instead.As part of a hastily arranged peace deal, Gary's brother Patrick agreed to be shot in the leg by a Kinahan enforcer - and the Hutch mob paid more than €200,000 in compensation to end the feud with Kinahan.But Kinahan reneged on the deal and had Hutch murdered. In November of that year, the Hutchs are believed to have tried to kill Kinahan in revenge when he was at a boxing event in the Red Cow Hotel in Dublin - but he survived.The Kinahans then are believed to have attempted to murder Gerry Hutch in a failed bid in Lanzarote that December.As many as 18 men lost their lives in the feud - but the war all resulted in a massive Garda crackdown on the Kinahans and eventually the simmering down of the feud.Many of their key lieutenants were locked up, and massive sanctions were ultimately imposed on the leaders of the Kinahan cartel by the United States Treasury Department in April 2022. The sanctions effectively saw the end of the Kinahan's influence in Ireland. A reward of 15 million dollars was also issued by the American government for anyone who could provide information leading to the prosecution of Daniel Kinahan, his brother Christy and father Christy Sr.The cartel, which is estimated to be worth over €1 billion, is no longer considered to be operating in this country - but remains a top target for gardai and the American DEA.Want to see more of the stories you love from Dublin Live? Making us your preferred source on Google means you’ll get more of our exclusives, top stories and must-read content straight away. To add Dublin Live as a preferred source, simply click here.Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content.We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
