Daniel Kinahan, 49, has been charged with directing the activities of a criminal organisation after being arrested in the United Arab Emirates on April 15 following an arrest warrant
A bail application for alleged crime syndicate boss Daniel Kinahan will be submitted in the coming weeks, a Dublin court has heard. The 49-year-old stood before the Special Criminal Court in Dublin on Monday.
He stands accused of directing the activities of a criminal organisation between October 18, 2015, and April 6, 2017. Dressed in a grey suit, black shirt and glasses, Mr Kinahan remained silent throughout the brief court session.
Mr Kinahan, who is suspected to be a leader of the notorious Kinahan organised crime group, was apprehended in the United Arab Emirates on April 15 following an arrest warrant issued by the Irish courts.
This action was taken in line with a bilateral extradition agreement between Ireland and the UAE.
He was flown back to Ireland on a government jet in August, and swiftly escorted by Garda to a Dublin court where he was charged with directing the activities of a criminal organisation.
Darragh Mackin, from Phoenix Law in Belfast, formally requested to be recognised as Mr Kinahan’s solicitor.
Mr Mackin expressed his gratitude for the court’s understanding last week when the case was postponed to today to allow him to attend to other matters.
The lawyer informed the court that they would be submitting documents and applying for bail in due course. The bail application will be made through the High Court.
Mr Mackin stated that the trial schedule needs to accommodate expert examination of digital evidence.
He also stated that they are pursuing complete disclosure regarding two additional investigations from which Mr Kinahan was cleared in separate jurisdictions. These concern an inquiry in Spain and a distinct investigation in Dubai.
Prosecution barrister Dominic McGinn SC explained that the defendant was extradited in August on a single charge and that there exists a “complex factual matrix” underpinning the allegation.
He noted that the statement of facts extended to 189 pages and that preparing the documentary evidence would require several weeks.
Mr Mackin confirmed he had no objections to the outlined matters, stating he wished these issues to be considered within the scheduling framework.
He also indicated that he would be submitting a bail application in due course on Mr Kinahan’s behalf.
Mr Kinahan was remanded into custody and will next appear before the court on December 21. After the hearing concluded, Mr Kinahan had a brief consultation with his solicitor.
Overseeing the proceedings were Ms Justice Caroline Biggs, Her Hon Judge Sarah Berkeley and Judge Kevin Staunton.
Speaking after, Mr Mackin said that Mr Kinahan will “vehemently defend” the case against him. “We made it clear today that Daniel Kinahan will vehemently defend the case against him. We are anxious to make progress,” Mr Mackin added.
“We are confident that the book of evidence will now be served before the end of this year. The rule of law applies equally to everybody. Nobody is above the rule of law, but equally nobody is below the rule of law – so we now look forward to a trial, hopefully in the early part of next year.”
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