Irish Government Jet Transports Alleged Gangland Figure Daniel Kinahan from Dubai

Ireland and the UAE agreed to an extradition treaty in May 2025. Kinahan reportedly appealed the extradition order, but his attempts were unsuccessful.

The security operation on Sunday involved armed gardaí, Irish Defence Forces, and the Irish Prison Service. This operation is understood to be one of the biggest security undertakings the Irish government has ever launched, deploying snipers, bomb-proof vans for transportation, decoy vans, and signal jammers in prison ceilings.

The Irish Prison Service previously purchased a bulletproof and bomb-proof van specifically for high-risk prisoner escorts. Kinahan will face a charge of directing an organized crime group.

Jim O’Callaghan and Abdullah bin Sultan bin Awad Al Nuaimi stated that Kinahan is "regarded as one of the most high-profile individuals sought for prosecution in connection with transnational organized crime." O’Callaghan expressed "deep appreciation for the support of the United Arab Emirates in handling the extradition request," praising the "professionalism, efficiency and diligence demonstrated by the UAE judicial authorities throughout the extradition proceedings."

Al Nuaimi reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to "further strengthening judicial co-operation with Irish authorities, and continuing to enhance our judicial partnerships with the international community." This extradition "reflects the steadfast commitment of both countries to the rule of law and reinforces international judicial co-operation," according to O’Callaghan and Al Nuaimi.

O’Callaghan added that this decision is "another landmark of judicial co-operation between the two countries and reflects the strength of our partnership to address transnational organised crime." Al Nuaimi further stated that this achievement "reflects the UAE’s position as a trusted international partner in the field of international judicial co-operation and underscores the steadfast commitment we have to supporting global efforts to combat transnational organised crime."

The US government imposed sanctions on Kinahan in April 2022, naming him as one of three leaders of the Kinahan Organised Crime Group. The Kinahan cartel has been linked to importing tonnes of drugs and firearms globally, with the National Crime Agency stating the group is connected to more than a dozen gangland murders.

Sean McGovern, described as a 'senior lieutenant' in the organized crime group, was extradited from the UAE to Ireland and sentenced to 24 years in prison for directing criminal activities. Thomas Kavanagh was jailed for 21 years in 2022, alongside Gary Vickery (20 years) and Daniel Canning (19.5 years), for their roles in criminal operations.

Evidence showed their responsibility for cocaine imports estimated up to £23.4m and cannabis imports worth about £6.4m. The United States offered a reward of up to $15m for information on Daniel Kinahan, his father Christopher Kinahan, and his brother Christopher junior, with a $5m reward specifically offered for their arrest in 2022.