Summary

  • An Irish government jet carrying Daniel Kinahan is due to touch down in Dublin shortly

  • The suspected crime boss is being extradited from the United Arab Emirates following his arrest there in April

  • A large security operation is in place, with Ireland's prison service having bought a bulletproof and bombproof van ahead of the extradition

  • Facilities at the maximum-security Portlaoise Prison have also been upgraded, local media report

  • The Kinahan cartel has been responsible for trafficking tonnes of drugs and firearms around the world for more than 20 years, according to the UK's National Crime Agency

  • Kinahan is expected to be charged and face Ireland's three-judge Special Criminal Court in the next few hours - his lawyer previously told the BBC that allegations about him being a crime boss are false

Live Reporting

Edited by Craig Hoyle, with Chris Page and Gabija Gataveckaite reporting from court

  1. Irish government jet flew to Dubai to collect Kinahan

    Gabija Gataveckaite
    Dublin correspondent

    It will be here at Baldonnel Airport where we are expecting Daniel Kinahan to arrive soon.

    This airport is mostly used by the Irish military. Daniel Kinahan is being escorted by gardaí (police) as well as a number of other Irish officials.

    He is on board the Falcon X6 which is the new Irish government jet.

    The jet left Baldonnel Airport yesterday; it made its way to Dubai, spent overnight there and it is now on its way back.

  2. In pictures: Tight security in Dublin ahead of Kinahan's arrival

    Gardaí outside Casement Aerodrome, BaldonnellPA Media

    We are seeing images of Irish gardaí (police) outside Casement Aerodrome in County Dublin, where Daniel Kinahan is due to arrive shortly.

    A police helicopter is also flying above the airport.

    Gardaí helicopter above Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnell, where Daniel Kinahan is due to arrivePA Media

  3. Who is Daniel Kinahan?

    Daniel Kinahan is pictured wearing a flat cap with dark facial stubble.Collins Photo Agency

    Here's a quick refresher:

    Daniel Kinahan, 49, is the son of Christopher "Christy" Kinahan, known to have created what became known as the Kinahan Organised Crime Group (KOCG) in the 1990s.

    In 2018, the Irish High Court accepted police evidence that the KOCG was an international crime group and that its drug operations were controlled by Daniel Kinahan - allegations his lawyer has denied.

    Kinahan also had ties to the world of sport via his now defunct boxing management company MTK Global. The company became known as a serious professional base for boxers, representing more than 100 boxers including Tyson Fury and Carl Frampton.

    In 2022, the US State Department offered a reward of up to $5m (£3.7m) for information leading to Kinahan's arrest and/or conviction for his alleged participation "in transnational organised crime, namely narcotics trafficking and money laundering".

    A wanted poster of the suspected crime boss now appears on the State Department's website with the word "captured" superimposed in the foreground.

    A copy of a wanted poster from the US State Department's website shows Daniel Kinahan's face with the word 'Captured' superimposed across it.US State Department

  4. Suspected Irish crime boss Daniel Kinahan due to arrive in Dublin

    A close-up of Daniel Kinahan's face shows him with facial stubble and wearing a white cap.Solarpix.com

    An Irish government jet carrying suspected Irish crime boss Daniel Kinahan is expected to land in Dublin soon following his extradition from Dubai.

    He is accused of being a senior figure in a crime cartel involved in international drug trafficking, and is also accused of firearms offences - allegations his lawyer has previously denied.

    Kinahan was arrested in Dubai under a warrant issued by the Irish courts in April, and his attempts to fight extradition were unsuccessful.

    It's expected he will be charged immediately on arrival and then brought by gardaí (police) to appear before the non-jury, three judge Special Criminal Court on Sunday evening.

    A large-scale security operation is planned for his expected arrival at Basement Aerodrome in Baldonnell, with facilities at the maximum-security Portlaoise Prison further upgraded, Irish broadcaster RTÉ reports.

    Kinahan and other members of his family have been accused of being leaders of the Kinahan Organised Crime Group (KOCG) - which the US says has been involved in drug trafficking, gun trafficking and murder.

    We'll bring you live updates on this page.