Daniel Kinahan has been detained in Dubai in response to a warrant issued in Ireland.
The arrest was confirmed on Friday through statements from the Department of Justice, An Garda Síochána, and authorities in Dubai, following an operation conducted earlier in the week. Officials stated that Kinahan was taken into custody on Wednesday, April 15th, after Irish courts issued a warrant and a formal extradition request was made.
Dubai Police said the arrest came after receiving a judicial dossier from Irish authorities detailing alleged offences connected to an international organised crime network. Acting on this material, Dubai Public Prosecution issued a warrant, and specialised units located and detained Kinahan within 48 hours.
In a statement issued on Friday, Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan welcomed the development and confirmed he had been in contact with his counterpart in the United Arab Emirates.
“Today’s arrest follows my request to the UAE for extradition of this individual to face charges in Ireland,” he said.
“In recent years, the UAE and Ireland have worked closely together to advance criminal investigations into serious and organised crime, including the agreement of bilateral treaties on extradition and mutual legal assistance in 2025.”
He added that he had spoken with UAE Justice Minister Abdullah Sultan bin Awad Al Nuaimi to convey his appreciation.
“I would like to commend all involved in today’s development, which is the result of tireless work by the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, officials in the Department of Justice with their UAE counterparts, the Department of Foreign Affairs and other agencies.”
The Department also stated: “The Minister will not make any further comment while this legal process is ongoing.”
An Garda Síochána confirmed it was aware of the arrest of an Irish citizen in the UAE, describing it as part of ongoing operations targeting organised crime.
“The male, in his late 40’s, was arrested on foot of an arrest warrant issued by the Irish Courts in relation to alleged Serious Organised Crime offences,” the statement said.
“The arrest is in accordance with the bi-lateral agreement on extradition between Ireland and United Arab Emirates.”
The force noted that the case remains under the authority of UAE officials while extradition proceedings continue.
“Today’s arrest is another extremely important demonstration of the need for international law enforcement co-operation in tackling transnational organised crime,” the statement continued.
“An Garda Síochána has been steadfast in our determination that we would pursue those allegedly involved in serious Organised Criminal activity, wherever they go.”
Dubai Police indicated that the arrest was part of broader efforts to address cross-border criminal activity, with surveillance operations initiated immediately after the warrant was issued.
“The arrest took place on 15 April, reflecting the force’s rapid response and operational readiness in handling international cases,” a statement from the Government of Dubai Media Office said.
Authorities in Dubai also pointed to continued collaboration with international law enforcement agencies in tracking individuals wanted in connection with organised crime.
Kinahan has previously been identified by the High Court in Dublin as the leader of a significant drug trafficking organisation and was sanctioned by the United States government in 2022. He is alleged to play a central role in an international organised crime network involved in serious cross-border offences.
He was also the intended target of the Regency Hotel shooting in Dublin in 2016, an incident that intensified the long-running Hutch-Kinahan feud, which has been linked to at least 18 fatalities.
Kinahan formerly ran MTK Global, a boxing management firm that represented a number of prominent professional fighters.
He remains in custody in the United Arab Emirates as extradition proceedings continue under a bilateral agreement between Ireland and the UAE concluded in 2025.