Irish mob boss Christy ‘Dapper Don’ Kinahan faces an uncertain future after being kicked out of Dubai following a failed court fight over his residency
Cartel boss Christy Kinahan has been ordered to pack his bags and clear out of Dubai. The alleged founder of the Kinahan Organised Crime Group has been given his marching orders by United Arab Emirates authorities following the cancellation of his residency status.
Kinahan had been fighting to stay in the sun-soaked playground for the super-rich since his residency visa ran out in April, launching a desperate legal battle through the Dubai courts. However, it is understood the ‘Dapper Don’ hit a dead end after losing his final appeal a fortnight ago.
The cartel kingpin was slapped with hefty financial penalties for overstaying his welcome once his paperwork lapsed, though it remains unknown whether he settled the debt with UAE officials.
Speculation is now mounting over where he will land next, with sources suggesting a return to the UK could be on the cards.
Despite having a $5million (£4m) US government bounty hanging over his head, Kinahan currently faces no criminal charges on British soil.
However, he remains in the crosshairs of Spanish investigators over alleged fake passport offences.
Reflecting on the dramatic development, a source told The Sun: “Christy Kinahan’s time in Dubai has come to an end.
“The only reason he went there in the first place is because he wanted to keep out of reach of law enforcement in Europe.
“The authorities in Dubai want him out because he is seen as toxic despite his links to big business and senior industry and political figures in the country. He still has a bounty on his head and who knows where he could end up.”
The 69-year-old, labelled the head of the ‘Irish Mafia’ in secret Spanish police files, has used the UAE as his primary residence for a decade.
Travelling on a British passport, his ties to the region date back to 2007, making frequent visits before putting down permanent roots in 2016.
Since fleeing to the desert, he has rarely ventured outside his sanctuary, save for trips to Holland and aviation conferences in Zimbabwe, where he masqueraded as an executive. Kinahan filled his spare time in the Middle East writing online restaurant reviews.
He originally set up shop on Spain’s Costa del Sol more than 25 years ago to dodge Irish detectives, building a huge underworld empire.
But the gang was eventually forced to abandon their Spanish stronghold as Irish police forged tight alliances with UK, Dutch and Spanish forces.
Having only returned to Ireland twice in decades, for his father’s funeral in 1997 and his son’s wedding in 2006, the latest eviction leaves his youngest son, Christopher, 45, exposed in the Middle East.
The source added: “Christopher Junior will be coming under even more pressure now.”