Irish authorities have taken custody of alleged crime boss Daniel Kinahan following his extradition from the United Arab Emirates, where he had been arrested in April.
Kinahan, 49, was brought before Dublin’s Special Criminal Court on Sunday and charged with directing a criminal organisation.
He was handed over to Irish officials in Dubai and flown to Ireland aboard a government jet before being taken directly to the court amid heightened security.
Kinahan, who appeared wearing a black hoodie, black trousers and flip-flops, told the three-judge court that he understood the charges against him. He was informed that any application for bail would have to be made through the High Court.
“I think we know I won’t be getting bail, but thank you so much for explaining,” he replied.
The hearing was held at the non-jury Special Criminal Court, which handles serious cases involving terrorism and organised crime.
Kinahan also apologised for appearing without a lawyer, explaining that he had been isolated in Dubai since Friday and had not had sufficient time to secure legal representation.
He said he had believed a family member would have arranged a lawyer for him.
The United States designated the Kinahan Organised Crime Group as a significant transnational criminal organisation in 2022 and identified Kinahan as one of its three alleged leaders. US authorities had offered a $5 million reward for information leading to their arrests.
Irish police have previously said the group evolved from dealing heroin and cocaine in Dublin during the 1990s into an organised crime network operating across Europe.
Kinahan had lived openly in Dubai for about a decade and was previously involved in organising major boxing events. His lawyer told the BBC in 2021 that allegations that he was a crime boss were false.
In a joint statement, the justice ministers of the UAE and Ireland described Kinahan as one of the most high-profile individuals sought for prosecution over alleged involvement in transnational organised crime.
Kinahan was remanded in custody following Sunday’s hearing and is scheduled to appear before the court again on October 5, either in person or via video link.
