Summary

  • Daniel Kinahan has been charged with organised crime offences after landing in Dublin

  • An Irish government jet carrying the suspected crime boss touched down a short time ago

  • He has been extradited from the United Arab Emirates following his arrest there in April - who is Daniel Kinahan?

  • A large security operation is in place, with Ireland's prison service having bought a bulletproof and bombproof van ahead of the extradition

  • The Kinahan cartel has been responsible for trafficking tonnes of drugs and firearms around the world for more than 20 years, according to the UK's National Crime Agency

  • Kinahan will shortly face Ireland's three-judge Special Criminal Court - his lawyer previously told the BBC that allegations about him being a crime boss are false

  1. What is Ireland’s Special Criminal Court?published at 19:39 BST

    Hayley Halpin
    BBC News NI

    A Special Criminal Court sits with three judges and no jury.

    This makes it different from other criminal courts dealing with serious crimes, which have a judge and a jury.

    Special Criminal Courts deal only with certain criminal cases, such as those involving paramilitary and organised crime.

    Cases involving terrorism and organised crime are automatically brought before these courts for trial. Other offences are brought before, or sent for trial by, the courts when the director of public prosecutions decides the ordinary courts are inadequate to secure the effective administration of justice and preserve public peace and order.

    There have been two courts dealing with cases referred to the Special Criminal Court since 2016.

    Someone convicted or sentenced by a Special Criminal Court can appeal to the Court of Appeal.

  2. Police convoy arrives at court in Dublinpublished at 19:17 BST
    Breaking

    A convoy of blacked-out police vehicles has arrived at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin.

    Suspected crime boss Daniel Kinahan is expected to appear shortly.

    Two cars stream through the gates by the courtImage source, EVN
  3. Armed police visible at Dublin courtpublished at 19:13 BST

    Chris Page
    BBC News Ireland correspondent

    Police stand outside a gate with a police car saying "Garda" visible packed nearby.

    Armed police have been guarding entrances to the Special Criminal Court in Dublin as they await the arrival of Daniel Kinahan.

    Members of the military are also involved in the security operation in the Irish capital.

    Ahead of the extradition, the Irish Prison Service bought a bombproof and bulletproof van to transport prisoners who are considered to be at high risk.

    Reporters, photographers and broadcast camera operators from Irish media - and some international news organisations - are outside the court, ready for the short hearing.

  4. Irish police: Man charged in relation to serious organised crime offencespublished at 19:09 BST

    A man in his late 40s has been arrested and charged in relation to serious organised crime offences, an Garda Síochána (Irish police) has said, after being extradited following his arrest in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

    Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly says the arrest shows the force's determination to "target transnational organised crime groups" alongside international policing partners such as Dubai police.

    He adds it shows the value of the force's relationship with the authorities in the UAE, the Irish ministry of justice at judicial level, and "on a police-to-police basis".

    The police force says the male is due to appear at the Special Criminal Court shortly, and it will not be making any further comment.

  5. Irish soldiers guarding airport gatespublished at 19:07 BST

    Six soldiers stand guard inside an open gateImage source, EVN

    Armed military police are standing guard by the airport gates.

    Several vehicles have left through the exit, including a convoy of three police vehicles, but it is not yet clear whether Kinahan himself has departed.

  6. Members of the public seen standing outside airportpublished at 19:01 BST

    Numerous people stand outside a blue fence.Image source, EVN

    A crowd has gathered at Casement Aerodrome following the arrival of the Irish government jet carring Daniel Kinahan in Dublin.

    Several vehicles can also be seen leaving the gates of the site.

  7. Flight tracker shows route taken by Irish government jetpublished at 18:54 BST

    Map of Europe, the Middle East and northern Africa showing a flight path from Dubai to Ireland.Image source, Flightradar24

    Online tracking app flightradar24 shows the route taken by the Irish government jet transporting Daniel Kinahan from Dubai to Casement Aerodrome in County Dublin.

    The flight landed at around 18:30 local time, with the suspected crime boss expected to be brought to the Special Criminal Court in Dublin.

  8. Where has the jet carrying Kinahan just landed?published at 18:46 BST

    Hayley Halpin
    BBC News NI

    A blue gate and a wall with "casement aerodrome" written on it.

    The government jet carrying Daniel Kinahan has just landed at Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnell, located in the southwest of Dublin.

    The air corps, the air component of the Irish Defence Forces, is based at the airbase.

    The primary role of the air corps is to support the army in maintaining the security of the State.

    It is also responsible for the Ministerial Air Transport Service, which provides air transport for the president and the government.

  9. Irish jet carrying Daniel Kinahan lands in Dublinpublished at 18:32 BST
    Breaking

    An Irish government jet carrying Daniel Kinahan has just landed in Dublin as he is extradited from the United Arab Emirates.

    The 49-year-old is expected to appear in court later this evening. We'll be bringing you live updates.

    Media caption,

    Moment plane carrying Daniel Kinahan touches down in Dublin

  10. Martin praises international effort to tackle organised crimepublished at 18:14 BST

    Micheál Martin speaks while wearing a navy suit and navy tie. He is standing behind a pair of microphones.Image source, PA Media

    Taoiseach (Irish PM) Micheál Martin has paid tribute to Irish and Emirati authorities for their efforts in tackling organised crime in recent years.

    The premier tells national media he will not comment on any specific case in order to avoid risking prejudice for any potential outcome, but says An Garda Síochána (the Irish police) deserve "real credit" for their consistent focus on addressing the issue.

    He adds: "Ireland has worked hard to develop strong partnerships at a global level because international criminal activity is global, and the connections are global, so global partnerships are essential."

  11. Irish, Emirati justice ministers welcome 'landmark' cooperationpublished at 18:06 BST

    Hayley Halpin
    BBC News NI

    A middle-aged man with reddish blond hair mid-speech from a stage. He's standing behind a podium in a dark blue suit, white shirt and red tie, his right arm slightly raised a he gestures with his handImage source, EPA
    Image caption,

    Irish Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan

    Justice ministers for Ireland and United Arab Emirates (UAE) are welcoming the extradition.

    Ireland's Jim O'Callaghan expresses his country's "deepest appreciation" and commends the "professionalism, efficiency, and diligence demonstrated by the UAE judicial authorities throughout the extradition proceedings".

    "This decision is another landmark of judicial cooperation between the two countries and reflects the strength of our partnership to address transnational organised crime," O'Callaghan adds.

    His Emirati counterpart, Abdullah bin Sultan bin Awad Al Nuaimi, reaffirms the UAE's commitment "to enhance our judicial partnerships with the international community".

  12. Irish government jet flew to Dubai to collect Kinahanpublished at 17:53 BST

    Gabija Gataveckaite
    Dublin correspondent

    It will be here at Baldonnel Airport where we are expecting Daniel Kinahan to arrive soon.

    This airport is mostly used by the Irish military. Daniel Kinahan is being escorted by gardaí (police) as well as a number of other Irish officials.

    He is on board the Falcon X6 which is the new Irish government jet.

    The jet left Baldonnel Airport yesterday; it made its way to Dubai, spent overnight there and it is now on its way back.

  13. In pictures: Tight security in Dublin ahead of Kinahan's arrivalpublished at 17:45 BST

    Gardaí outside Casement Aerodrome, BaldonnellImage source, PA Media

    We are seeing images of Irish gardaí (police) outside Casement Aerodrome in County Dublin, where Daniel Kinahan is due to arrive shortly.

    A police helicopter is also flying above the airport.

    Gardaí helicopter above Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnell, where Daniel Kinahan is due to arriveImage source, PA Media
  14. Who is Daniel Kinahan?published at 17:38 BST

    Daniel Kinahan is pictured wearing a flat cap with dark facial stubble.Image source, Collins Photo Agency

    Here's a quick refresher:

    Daniel Kinahan, 49, is the son of Christopher "Christy" Kinahan, known to have created what became known as the Kinahan Organised Crime Group (KOCG) in the 1990s.

    In 2018, the Irish High Court accepted police evidence that the KOCG was an international crime group and that its drug operations were controlled by Daniel Kinahan - allegations his lawyer has denied.

    Kinahan also had ties to the world of sport via his now defunct boxing management company MTK Global. The company became known as a serious professional base for boxers, representing more than 100 boxers including Tyson Fury and Carl Frampton.

    In 2022, the US State Department offered a reward of up to $5m (£3.7m) for information leading to Kinahan's arrest and/or conviction for his alleged participation "in transnational organised crime, namely narcotics trafficking and money laundering".

    A wanted poster of the suspected crime boss now appears on the State Department's website with the word "captured" superimposed in the foreground.

    A copy of a wanted poster from the US State Department's website shows Daniel Kinahan's face with the word 'Captured' superimposed across it.Image source, US State Department
  15. Suspected Irish crime boss Daniel Kinahan due to arrive in Dublinpublished at 17:32 BST

    A close-up of Daniel Kinahan's face shows him with facial stubble and wearing a white cap.Image source, Solarpix.com

    An Irish government jet carrying suspected Irish crime boss Daniel Kinahan is expected to land in Dublin soon following his extradition from Dubai.

    He is accused of being a senior figure in a crime cartel involved in international drug trafficking, and is also accused of firearms offences - allegations his lawyer has previously denied.

    Kinahan was arrested in Dubai under a warrant issued by the Irish courts in April, and his attempts to fight extradition were unsuccessful.

    It's expected he will be charged immediately on arrival and then brought by gardaí (police) to appear before the non-jury, three judge Special Criminal Court on Sunday evening.

    A large-scale security operation is planned for his expected arrival at Basement Aerodrome in Baldonnell, with facilities at the maximum-security Portlaoise Prison further upgraded, Irish broadcaster RTÉ reports.

    Kinahan and other members of his family have been accused of being leaders of the Kinahan Organised Crime Group (KOCG) - which the US says has been involved in drug trafficking, gun trafficking and murder.

    We'll bring you live updates on this page.