Daniel Kinahan, alleged leader of Irish organised crime group, arrested in UAE

Original article by Nadeem Badshah

Daniel Kinahan, alleged to be the leader of the Kinahan organised crime group, has been arrested in the United Arab Emirates.

Irish police said they were aware of the arrest of a man in his late 40s, on foot of an arrest warrant issued by the Irish courts in relation to alleged serious organised crime offences.

The gardai said the arrest was in accordance with the bilateral agreement on extradition between Ireland and the UAE.

Dubai police said the arrest took place on Wednesday.

The Dubliner, who lives in the UAE, had previously insisted he had no criminal convictions and denies any involvement in organised crime.

A gardai statement said the arrest was an “important demonstration of the need for international law enforcement cooperation in tackling transnational organised crime”.

The statement said: “The arrest of the Irish national in Dubai remains a matter for the authorities in the United Arab Emirates at this time.

“An Garda Siochana has been steadfast in our determination that we would pursue those allegedly involved in serious organised criminal activity, wherever they go.

“Today’s arrest is another extremely important demonstration of the need for international law enforcement cooperation in tackling transnational organised crime.”

Dubai police said they had arrested an “Irish fugitive for his alleged role in an international organised crime network”.

A spokesperson said: “The arrest comes as part of efforts to combat cross-border crime.

“The arrest followed the receipt of a judicial file from Irish authorities detailing the suspect’s alleged crimes and his involvement in an international criminal organisation.

“Based on the file, Dubai public prosecution issued an arrest warrant to initiate legal procedures ahead of his extradition.

“Specialised teams immediately launched intensive search and surveillance operations, leading to the suspect’s capture within 48 hours of the warrant being issued.”

Kinahan is the founder of the MTK Global boxing management company that previously listed Billy Joe Saunders and Tyson Fury among its stable of fighters.

In 2016, an attempt was made on Kinahan’s life at a boxing weigh-in at the Regency hotel in Dublin.

His involvement in the sport caused anger in 2020 when Fury thanked him for reaching an agreement for him to fight Anthony Joshua, however within weeks Fury’s team announced Kinahan would no longer negotiate on his behalf.

The Irish minister Jim O’Callaghan said: “[The] arrest follows my request to the UAE for extradition of this individual to face charges in Ireland.

“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.”