CRIME boss Daniel Kinahan has touched down on Irish soil for the first time in over a decade.
The 49-year-old will now be arrested on the tarmac at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, and brought to the Special Criminal Court to be charged.
The jet touched down at Baldonnel shortly after 6:30pm
Daniel Kinahan was last seen in Ireland in Februrary 2016
Kinahan has been extradited from Dubai
The Irish Jattvibe understands that after he arrives in court, he will face an all-encompassing charge which covers a range of crimes, including orchestrating a series of murders and attempts on life.
The Irish Government’s Dassault Falcon 6X departed Dubai World Central International Airport at around 10.20am this morning and landed shortly after 6:30pm.
Sign up for The Jattvibe newsletter
Thank you!
Flying at 45,000 ft, the jet with a registration of IRL290 flew west over Saudi Arabia before turning north towards Ireland.
The flight was the most watched on popular tracking site Flight Radar 24, as tens of thousands tuned in to follow Kinahan’s journey live.
A significant security operation is now underway to secure one of the world’s most wanted men.
Armed officers are expected to be on patrol around Dublin’s Criminal Courts of Justice.
Snipers from the Gardai’s Emergency Response Unit have also been deployed in the area as part of the operation.
And members of the ERU and National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau are expected to be on alert inside.
The building has already been swept for bombs and staff there were instructed to take home their bags to avoid any security scares.
There is a heavy Garda presence at the Casement Aerodrome Credit: Damien Eagers/PA Wire
A Garda helicopter circled the Casement Aerodrome this afternoon Credit: Damien Eagers/PA Wire
After his court appearance, he will be transported under heavy guard to Portlaoise Prison in a convoy of vehicles.
It is expected that he will be remanded in custody at maximum-security prison until his trial.
Today, authorities in Ireland and the UAE released a joint statement welcoming Kinahan’s extradition.
Referring to him only as an “Irish national”, the statement said he is “regarded as one of the most high-profile individuals sought for prosecution in connection with transnational organised crime”.
Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan said: “I would like to express Ireland’s deep appreciation for the support of the United Arab Emirates in handling the extradition request, and commend 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.”
Abdullah bin Sultan bin Awad Al Nuaimi, Minister of Justice of the UAE, added that the country was committed to “further strengthening judicial cooperation with Irish authorities”.
Kinahan’s time in Dubai came to an abrupt end after he was arrested by local police on April 17 based on a bilateral agreement between Ireland and the United Arab Emirates.
Attempts by the gangster to appeal his extradition since his arrest were rejected.
Daniel’s dad Christy and brother Christy Jnr, who are also wanted for their involvement in the cartel, remain at large in Dubai.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin today paid “a very strong tribute” to Gardai, the Garda Commissioner and successive Ministers for Justice for tackling organised crime in a “very effective way”.
Speaking at the Tullamore Show, he did not directly comment on the case, but said Gardai deserved “real credit” for their efforts more generally.
In a statement, Minister of Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee said today is the “culmination of years of determined work” by Gardai and successive Governments.
She paid tribute in partricular to the late former Garda Assistant Commissioner John O’Driscoll and former Garda Commissioner Drew Harris for their efforts to tackle organised crime.
Daniel Kinahan was last seen on the Emerald Isle on February 15, 2016, at David Byrne’s funeral.
Byrne was shot dead at the Regency Hotel ten days beforehand in an attack which started the Kinahan-Hutch gang war.
Prior to being handed over to Irish authorities as part of his extradition process, Kinahan had claimed: “I’m looking forward to getting home.”
