It’s the caper that had everyone talking, bruv. Daniel Kinahan, 49, the alleged head honcho of an organised crime group, was nabbed in Dubai and flown back to Ireland on a government jet worth €53 million. The Irish Air Corps' Dassault Falcon 6X touched down in Dubai on Saturday night, and by this morning, Kinahan was in custody.
The jet took off from Al Maktoum International Airport at 1:19 PM local time (10:19 AM Irish time) and is expected to land at Baldonnel Airport in Dublin around 7:20 PM tonight. This marks the first time the luxury government bird has been used for a criminal extradition.
A major security operation awaits Kinahan’s return, with the Defence Forces, Irish Prison Service, and multiple Garda units on high alert. Road closures are also planned as they move him to the Special Criminal Court. Kinahan is expected to face charges of directing an organised crime group, with evidence from encrypted communications playing a key role in the case.
The allegations link back to the notorious Kinahan-Hutch feud, which has been tied to multiple killings and attempted hits both at home and abroad. Kinahan’s alleged involvement includes plots targeting Gerry Hutch and his associates, including James 'Mago' Gately. The evidence gathered from encrypted messages will be crucial in the upcoming court proceedings.