Irish authorities charge alleged crime boss PHOTO

Irish authorities have charged suspected crime boss Daniel Kinahan with directing the activities of a criminal organization between October 2015 and April 2017, following his extradition from the United Arab Emirates, CNN reports.

Kinahan, 49, appeared before Dublin’s non-jury Special Criminal Court on August 9 night under tight security. He was remanded in custody after the brief hearing.

“I think we all know I won’t be getting bail, but thank you so much for explaining,” Kinahan told the court after being informed that any bail application would have to be made through the High Court.

Kinahan was handed over to Irish authorities in Dubai earlier on August 9 and flown to Ireland aboard an Irish government jet. The aircraft landed at Baldonnel Aerodrome, a military facility on the outskirts of Dublin, before Kinahan was taken directly to court.

The hearing was held at the Special Criminal Court, which handles cases involving terrorism and serious organized crime without a jury. Armed police guarded the courthouse, while crowds gathered outside and recorded the arrival and departure of police vehicles.

Kinahan appeared in a black hoodie, black trousers and flip-flops. He apologized for not having a lawyer present, saying he had been isolated in Dubai since August 7 and had not had sufficient time to arrange legal representation.

The Kinahan cartel has been accused of trafficking large quantities of drugs and firearms internationally for more than two decades. The UK’s National Crime Agency has described the group as a major transnational organized crime network.

US authorities designated the Kinahan Organised Crime Group as a significant transnational criminal organization in 2022 and identified Kinahan as one of its three leaders. Washington offered a $5 million reward for information leading to the arrest of the group’s leaders.

Irish police have said the organization evolved from a Dublin-based heroin and cocaine operation in the 1990s into a criminal network operating across Europe.

Kinahan had lived openly in Dubai for about a decade and was also involved in organizing high-profile boxing events. His lawyer previously denied allegations that he was a crime boss.

The justice ministers of Ireland and the UAE described Kinahan in a joint statement as one of the most high-profile individuals sought for prosecution in connection with transnational organized crime.

Kinahan is due to appear before the court again on October 5, either in person or via video link.

By Vafa Guliyeva