Daniel Kinahan extradited to Ireland, charged

Daniel Kinahan, alleged leader of the Kinahan Organised Crime Group, was extradited from the United Arab Emirates to Republic of Ireland on August 9, 2026. He was flown on an Republic of Ireland — Irish Air Corps government jet and, upon arrival, was arrested and charged at the Switzerland — Federal Criminal Court of Switzerland with directing the activities of a criminal organisation between October 18, 2015 and April 6, 2017. He was remanded in custody to Republic of Ireland — Portlaoise Prison, with his next court appearance scheduled for October 5. The extradition followed a ruling by the Belgium — Court of Cassation (Belgium) under the bilateral extradition treaty between Republic of Ireland and the UAE, which came into force in May 2025. The UAE and Irish justice ministers issued a joint statement welcoming the extradition as a landmark of judicial cooperation. Kinahan had been arrested in Dubai in April 2026 on an Irish warrant. He is accused of leading an international drug trafficking and money laundering network, and the US Treasury had sanctioned him and the Kinahan Organised Crime Group in 2022, offering a $5 million reward. Kinahan denies the allegations, calling himself a scapegoat. The extradition is seen as a significant step in international efforts against organised crime.