After one of the most intense security operations ever witnessed in this State, Daniel Kinahan was on Sunday night brought before the Special Criminal Court and charged with directing the activities of a criminal organisation between 2015 and 2017.
In a highly coordinated operation by gardaí and the Defence Forces, the 49-year-old was arrested and charged before being rushed from Baldonnel to the Central Criminal Court in a convoy of high-powered vehicles including BMW SUVs with blacked-out windows. The convoy broke into two before it reached the gates of the court.
A heavy garda presence was already stationed outside the perimeter of the court, including heavily armed plain clothes detectives.
The non-jury court hearing before Judge Fiona Lydon, Mr Justice Patrick McGrath and Judge Sarah Berkeley was told by Detective Sergeant Colin Davidson that he arrested Mr Kinahan in Baldonnel at 6.49pm on Sunday night and gave him a copy of the warrant and the charge of directing activities of a criminal organisation in the period from October 18, 2015 to April 6, 2017.
Mr Kinahan appeared in the dock wearing a black hoodie and put on a pair of dark-rimmed glasses after taking his seat.
Daniel Kinahan.
During a brief hearing, he confirmed his name and the court was told he had no legal representation.
He told the court: “I have been in isolation since last Friday.” He said he had not seen his family to organise a solicitor.
He said he understood his family would take care of matters but he had not had access to anyone.
He said: “I didn’t have time to arrange anything.”
He was advised by the court to arrange legal representation. He replied: “If I have some time, yes.”
He was also told that he could make a bail application to the High Court given his charge in the Special Criminal Court. However he replied: “We both know I am not getting bail.” He told the judge he understood everything and thanked him.
During the short hearing, he looked around the room several times and stood when spoken to. He drank from a bottle of water a number of times.
Mr Kinahan is remanded in custody to appear before court again on October 5, 2026. He was taken to Portlaoise prison.
Members of the Garda Armed response unit at The Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin. Picture: Mark Marlow/PA Wire
Earlier, justice minister Jim O’Callaghan and his counterpart Abdullah bin Sultan bin Awad Al Nuaimi, minister of justice of the United Arab Emirates, issued a joint statement on the extradition of the 49-year-old.
The statement said: “The two Ministers affirmed that the final extradition decision in this significant case reflects the steadfast commitment of both countries to the rule of law, reinforces international judicial cooperation, and demonstrates the effectiveness of their partnership in combating transnational organised crime, particularly offences involving the leadership of organised criminal groups.
“They further stressed that this decision sends a clear message that suspected perpetrators of serious and organised crime will find no safe haven from justice, reaffirming the shared determination of both countries to ensure that such individuals are brought before the courts.”