Arabic version: تسليم دانيال كيناهان إلى دبلن وسط عملية أمنية

According to BBC News, an Irish government jet carrying Daniel Kinahan has departed Dubai for Dublin, where he is to face a charge of directing a criminal organisation.

The 49-year-old was arrested in the United Arab Emirates in April and is being extradited to the Republic of Ireland. Flight tracking data showed the aircraft left Dubai at 13:19 local time and was expected to land in Dublin before 19:00 local time on Sunday.

Kinahan is due to be charged immediately after arriving and taken by Gardaí to the non-jury, three-judge Special Criminal Court on Sunday evening. A large-scale security operation has been put in place, with armed Gardaí, the Irish Defence Forces and the Irish Prison Service expected to be involved.

The Irish Prison Service bought a bulletproof and bombproof van before the extradition for escorting prisoners considered high-risk. RTÉ News also reported that facilities at maximum-security Portlaoise Prison in County Laois have been upgraded, where Kinahan is expected to be held on remand.

US sanctions were imposed on Kinahan and other family members in April 2022 after they were identified as leaders of the Kinahan organised crime cartel. Kinahan’s lawyer previously told BBC Panorama that he has no criminal record or convictions, and that allegations he is a crime boss are false and have no evidential basis.