Top cop vows Daniel Kinahan arrest 'not the end' and promises to go after cartel
Daniel Kinahan's arrest has been hailed as a “very significant“ moment by high-ranking police in Ireland as investigations into the cartel continue. In Westport, County Mayo, Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly publicly named Kinahan for the first time since his arrest in Dubai.He spoke to media gathered at the annual conference of the Garda Representative Association (GRA). According to the commissioner, gardai are not finished in pursuing the cartel - which may include key figures Christy Kinahan Sr and his son Christy Jr - after it caused “murder and mayhem” in Ireland.Commissioner Kelly has spoken with the head of the Dubai Police after the dramatic operation and said gardai are eagerly awaiting court proceedings in the United Arab Emirates following the arrest. Speaking to our sister title the Irish Mirror, he said: “Last Friday as you are all aware there were significant developments in our ongoing investigation into the Kinahan Organised Crime Group with the arrest of Daniel Kinahan in Dubai in the UAE."The work that led to this was very significant. There were a lot of players involved in the work behind the scenes in this case.”While speaking to the media, the commissioner praised the work of officials from the Department of Justice and the Department of Foreign Affairs as well as former Garda Commissioner Drew Harris and Minister’s Helen McEntee and Jim O’Callaghan. Asked by the Irish Mirror if gardai are now pursuing Kinahan’s father - the ‘Dapper Don’ Christy Kinahan - and his son Christy Jr, Commissioner Kelly said he couldn’t comment directly on named individuals.However, he said: “What I would say is our investigation into this group absolutely continues. This is certainly not an end point to us. And again, I certainly want to repeat that.“We're going to be relentless around individuals who have caused murder and mayhem here in Ireland and are responsible for, as you will all know, a significant number of homicides, including two innocent people. That's our focus."Our focus is on the victims, the victims' families and the destruction that they've caused to some of our societies here in Ireland. So that's our motivation.“We're just going to continue that work. And for me as the Garda Commissioner and for Paul Cleary as Acting Deputy Commissioner and Shauna Coxton as the Deputy Commissioner, we're completely aligned about making sure that these units that are working, spearheading this work, they have all the capacity, they have all the international relations that they need to do that work really, really well..”Commissioner Kelly earlier paid tribute to John O’Driscoll, the Garda Assistant Commissioner who died in 2024 before he could see the results of the investigation into Kinahan. He said: “Many of you, not just in the room but in the public, will remember our dear colleague Assistant Commissioner John O'Driscoll, now deceased.“And John again was tireless in his work, not just around the Kinahan and Hutch feud. But generally in the fight against organised crime - and certainly over his many years of service brought us a long way in that fight.”The tireless efforts of Mr O'Driscoll as assistant commissioner as well as the Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau led to, at one stage, 45 suspects in prison in relation to “facilitating organised crime groups, firearms, drugs, all connected to this feud,” according to Commissioner Kelly. He said: “I definitely want to remember John in this."The wider team then in An Garda Siochana, and again, as you will all appreciate, lots and lots of people involved in this, but I want to make particular mention to our Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau. I think the Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau are obviously at the absolute spearhead of our work that we're doing in targeting organised crime, particularly the transnational groups.“The Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau has been led for the last number of years by Detective Chief Superintendent Seamie Boland. Seamie and some of his team have been out to the UAE on a number of occasions to further this work."In September 2023, myself and Drew went to Dubai and UAE. We met a number of people, obviously, in furtherance of our work targeting the Kinahan Organised Crime Group.”Commissioner Kelly said he had built a strong relationship with the Commander in Chief of the Dubai Police - Lieutenant General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri - who he said he spoke to last Friday after Kinahan's arrest. He said: “I was absolutely delighted on Friday to speak to Lieutenant General Al Marri on the phone about the developments with Daniel Kinahan."And again, a very positive development. Not just for ourselves and in AN Garda of Siochana, but also for Dubai Police."Asked about whether he could give details about the arrest - and whether gardai were on the ground for the big moment - Commissioner Kelly was reluctant to give many details but indicated that gardai are now awaiting Kinahan’s extradition hearing. He said: “This is a matter for the authorities in the UAE."There's a process there, a judicial process. So, I mean, for us, of course, we wait. We watch with anticipation to see how that will go.”He added he did not know how long that process could take - but said gardai will continue to liaise with authorities on the matter. Kinahan, 48, was arrested last week on the foot of an arrest warrant issued by the courts here.The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has directed that gardai can charge Kinahan with directing a criminal organisation. Gardai sent off a meticulous file to the DPP over two years ago after investigating the activities of the cartel responsible for 16 of the 18 murders in the Kinahan-Hutch feud.Officers believe Kinahan directed the gang’s murderous campaign on the streets of Dublin between 2016 and 2018.Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.All you have to do is click here, select 'Join Community' and you're in!We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. 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