Irish government jet leaves for UAE for Kinahan extradition

Irish authorities have dispatched a government jet to the United Arab Emirates as part of efforts to extradite suspected crime figure Daniel Kinahan. Kinahan was detained in Dubai under a warrant issued by Irish courts in April. He has resisted extradition attempts, and his appeals have failed. According to RTÉ, he is expected to be flown back to Ireland on Sunday, after which he will appear before the Special Criminal Court in Dublin. Flightradar24 shows the Irish Air Corps aircraft nearing the Emirates, currently the site’s most‑tracked flight. RTÉ also reported that a substantial security operation will be in place for his arrival and that the Irish Prison Service has upgraded facilities at the maximum‑security Portlaoise Prison. The United States imposed sanctions on Kinahan in April 2022 after he and relatives were named leaders of the Kinahan organized‑crime cartel. Kinahan formerly promoted boxing through MTK Global, a now‑defunct firm that represented over 100 fighters, including Tyson Fury and Carl Frampton. Irish prosecutors intend to charge him with participation in an organized criminal group. An extradition arrangement between the UAE and Ireland, previously used to return Sean McGovern—a described “senior lieutenant” of the cartel—remains in effect. McGovern received a 24‑year prison sentence in June for directing the cartel’s activities.