Daniel Kinahan's return to Ireland comes after a member of the Kinahan cartel was sentenced earlier this year.

Sean McGovern was arrested in the United Arab Emirates in October 2024 before being handed over to Irish gardaí (police) in May 2025 and transported back to Ireland.

He pleaded guilty to two charges of directing the activities of a criminal organisation - one in relation to the surveillance of rival gang member James Gately, and another in connection with the murder of Noel Kirwan.

In June, when McGovern was sentenced to a total of 24 years, a judge described him as a "senior lieutenant and long time member of the Kinahan organised crime group".

Image source, Interpol

Ireland's Special Criminal Court is a non-jury court made up of three judges, primarily used in relation to organised crime and terror offences.

Crime reporter and author Paul Williams tells BBC News that the court has been used in the country for many decades to prevent jury intimidation.

He adds that the Irish prison service has recently received a special bombproof and bulletproof van that will be used to transport Daniel Kinahan between prison and court over the coming year.

The author says this stands as "another example of how seriously Daniel Kinahan is being taken".

Gabija Gataveckaite
Dublin correspondent

Detective Garda Sergeant Colm Davison told the court he arrested Kinahan at Baldonnell Casement Aerodrome today.

Kinahan was remanded in custody.

Judge McGrath asked Kinahan if he would like to appear at the next court sitting on 5 October in person or via videolink.

Kinahan asked if he had to “decide now” and it was explained to him he could make a decision later and notify the governor in the prison.

Judge McGrath explained to Kinahan he could file an application for bail through the High Court.

Kinahan replied: “I think we all know I won’t be getting bail, but thank you for your time.”

He was dressed in a black hoodie for the court appearance, wearing black slides with white stripes, and black-framed glasses.

A convoy of police vehicles has just left the Dublin court complex, travelling at speed.

Police forces outside the gate moved to allow the group of blacked-out cars to exit.

Daniel Kinahan is expected to be transferred to the maximum-security Portlaoise Prison, where facilities have recently been further upgraded.

A court sketch of Daniel Kinahan shows the suspected crime boss wearing a hoodie and glasses as he appeared before three judges.

Our correspondent Chris Page reported that Kinahan sat in the dock for most of the proceedings, occasionally sipping from a bottle of water.

Image source, Mike O'Donnell

Gabija Gataveckaite
Dublin correspondent

Daniel Kinahan has been charged with directing the activities of a criminal organisation between 18 October 2015 and 6 April 2017 at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin.

Kinahan did not have legal representation in court and told the three judge, non-jury court that he did not have time to arrange for legal representation.

He appeared before judges Patrick McGrath, Sarah Berkeley and Fiona Lydon.

Kinahan told gardaí (police) he was detained in Dubai but said he did not have “any time” to arrange for legal representation.

When Judge McGrath suggested that he should be charged today and legal representation arranged later on, Kinahan replied: “If I have time, yes.”

Chris Page
BBC News Ireland correspondent

The court hearing lasted for 13 minutes.

Daniel Kinahan has been remanded in custody until 5 October. He sat in the dock for most of the proceedings, occasionally sipping from a bottle of water.

He rose to his feet on several occasions when judge Patrick McGrath addressed him.

He also stood, with his hands clasped in front of him, when a court official put the charge to him.

Daniel Kinahan is accused of directing activities of a criminal organisation between October 2015 and April 2017.

Chris Page
BBC News Ireland correspondent

Daniel Kinahan has entered the dock at the Special Criminal Court.

He is sitting on a wooden bench, wearing a black hooded top.

He rose to his feet when the three judges took their places.

Image source, PA Media

For more than 20 years, the group has been responsible for trafficking tonnes of drugs and firearms around the world, according to the UK's National Crime Agency (NCA).

The NCA also said the crime group is linked to more than a dozen gangland murders.

Ireland's former Garda Commissioner Drew Harris estimates the gang has made more than €1bn (£857m) globally from its activities.

The US Treasury Department has compared the gang with Italy's Camorra, Mexico's Los Zetas and Japan's Yakuza.

Federal US law enforcement previously offered a reward of up to $5m (£3.7m) for information about the three most senior Kinahan gang members - Daniel, his father Christopher Sr and his brother Christopher Jr.

Daniel Kinahan's lawyer previously told BBC Panorama that his client has no criminal record or convictions, and that allegations he is a crime boss are false and have no evidential basis.

Gabija Gataveckaite
Dublin correspondent

Inside courtroom 11 in the Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin, dozens are gathered waiting for proceedings to get underway.

There is a large media presence here as well as a number of senior gardaí (police).

Many of the journalists gathered are crime reporters who have covered the Kinahan cartel for many years.

A number of solicitors from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) are also present, along with some members of the public and court clerks.

No filming or photography is allowed inside Irish courts, however a court sketch artist is present.

It is standing room only for any late arrivals as all the benches are full.

Hayley Halpin
BBC News NI

A Special Criminal Court sits with three judges and no jury.

This makes it different from other criminal courts dealing with serious crimes, which have a judge and a jury.

Special Criminal Courts deal only with certain criminal cases, such as those involving paramilitary and organised crime.

Cases involving terrorism and organised crime are automatically brought before these courts for trial. Other offences are brought before, or sent for trial by, the courts when the director of public prosecutions decides the ordinary courts are inadequate to secure the effective administration of justice and preserve public peace and order.

There have been two courts dealing with cases referred to the Special Criminal Court since 2016.

Someone convicted or sentenced by a Special Criminal Court can appeal to the Court of Appeal.

Image source, PA Media

A convoy of blacked-out police vehicles has arrived at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin.

Suspected crime boss Daniel Kinahan is expected to appear shortly.

Image source, EVN

Chris Page
BBC News Ireland correspondent

Armed police have been guarding entrances to the Special Criminal Court in Dublin as they await the arrival of Daniel Kinahan.

Members of the military are also involved in the security operation in the Irish capital.

Ahead of the extradition, the Irish Prison Service bought a bombproof and bulletproof van to transport prisoners who are considered to be at high risk.

Reporters, photographers and broadcast camera operators from Irish media - and some international news organisations - are outside the court, ready for the short hearing.

A man in his late 40s has been arrested and charged in relation to serious organised crime offences, An Garda Síochána (the Irish police) has said, after being extradited following his arrest in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly says the arrest shows the force's determination to "target transnational organised crime groups" alongside international policing partners such as Dubai police.

He adds it shows the value of the force's relationship with the authorities in the UAE, the Irish ministry of justice at judicial level, and "on a police-to-police basis".

The police force says the male is due to appear at the Special Criminal Court shortly, and it will not be making any further comment.

Image source, EVN

Armed military police are standing guard by the airport gates.

Several vehicles have left through the exit, including a convoy of three police vehicles, but it is not yet clear whether Kinahan himself has departed.

Image source, EVN

A crowd has gathered at Casement Aerodrome following the arrival of the Irish government jet carring Daniel Kinahan in Dublin.

Several vehicles can also be seen leaving the gates of the site.

Image source, Flightradar24

Online tracking app flightradar24 shows the route taken by the Irish government jet transporting Daniel Kinahan from Dubai to Casement Aerodrome in County Dublin.

The flight landed at around 18:30 local time, with the suspected crime boss expected to be brought to the Special Criminal Court in Dublin.

Hayley Halpin
BBC News NI

The government jet carrying Daniel Kinahan has just landed at Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnell, located in the southwest of Dublin.

The air corps, the air component of the Irish Defence Forces, is based at the airbase.

The primary role of the air corps is to support the army in maintaining the security of the State.

It is also responsible for the Ministerial Air Transport Service, which provides air transport for the president and the government.

An Irish government jet carrying Daniel Kinahan has just landed in Dublin as he is extradited from the United Arab Emirates.

The 49-year-old is expected to appear in court later this evening. We'll be bringing you live updates.

Image source, PA Media

Taoiseach (Irish PM) Micheál Martin has paid tribute to Irish and Emirati authorities for their efforts in tackling organised crime in recent years.

The premier tells national media he will not comment on any specific case in order to avoid risking prejudice for any potential outcome, but says An Garda Síochána (the Irish police) deserve "real credit" for their consistent focus on addressing the issue.

He adds: "Ireland has worked hard to develop strong partnerships at a global level because international criminal activity is global, and the connections are global, so global partnerships are essential."