The government has reached agreements on extradition and mutual legal assistance treaties with the United Arab Emirates. These arrangements aim to facilitate the return of high-ranking members of the Kinahan organized crime network to Ireland for legal proceedings.
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This notorious transnational drug trafficking syndicate operates primarily from Dubai. Notably, Sean McGovern, one of its key figures, is currently detained while awaiting extradition to face a murder accusation in Ireland.
Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee, is set to sign these treaties next week in Abu Dhabi. This follows a series of negotiations with her counterpart in the UAE.
McEntee remarked that these treaties represent a “substantial asset in combatting organized crime and international drug dealing.”
The U.S. has already enforced sanctions against Christopher Kinahan Jr., Daniel Kinahan, and Christopher Kinahan, further tightening the noose around this criminal family.
“This will have repercussions for any criminal currently residing in the UAE,” she stated. “It’s crucial to emphasize that the Kinahan family has maintained a presence there for several years. While I won’t delve into specifics, this framework empowers An Garda Síochána to approach the courts for a warrant upon a request from the Director of Public Prosecutions, allowing us to engage with UAE authorities for extraditions.”
McEntee aptly highlighted the government’s strategy, stating they are “tightening the net.”
She continued, “It’s vital to convey a clear message: irrespective of status or influence, criminals cannot escape the long arm of justice.”
In her words, “Any individual committing an offense with a sentence of over a year who attempts to dodge justice outside of our borders can indeed be brought back and extradited.”
Moreover, the Justice Minister underscored that the extradition treaty enhances the capacity of law enforcement agencies in their global operations.
“This will streamline their interactions with international counterparts, making it quicker and more efficient to gather evidence, conduct interviews, and facilitate legal proceedings for various criminal cases,” she explained.
According to McEntee, “This initiative is about tightening our approach, especially as numerous countries, including all EU nations, the UK, America, and Australia, have similar agreements. The more treaties we put into place, the closer we draw in the net.”
Criminal Haven – The UAE
Dubai, in particular, has long had a reputation as a haven for fugitives and drug traffickers fleeing justice.
The Kinahan crime group’s leaders—Christy Sr., Daniel, and Christopher Jr.—relocated there from the Costa del Sol in 2016, aiming to sidestep extradition as Spanish and Irish authorities intensified their collaboration in investigating the notorious Hutch-Kinahan feud.
Other notable gang members, like Ian Dixon, John Morrissey, and Bernard Clancy, also set up shop in Dubai. All seven have faced U.S. sanctions, and each of the three Kinahan family members has a hefty $5 million reward dangling over their heads for information leading to their arrest and conviction.
The organized crime syndicate suffered a significant disruption last Thursday when Sean McGovern, Daniel Kinahan’s chief lieutenant, was apprehended under an Interpol red notice.
This 38-year-old Dublin native, wanted for murder and orchestrating criminal gang activities, is now in custody in Dubai, awaiting extradition proceedings.
During a crucial cabinet meeting, the government authorized the Justice Minister to ink bilateral treaties with the UAE centering on extradition and legal assistance.
Steps Being Taken to Combat Organized Crime
The Department of Justice revealed that this milestone follows a year of intense negotiations between McEntee and His Excellency Abdullah Bin Sultan Bin Awad Al Nuaimi, the Emirati Minister of Justice.
Officials assert that these treaties will significantly bolster cooperation between Ireland and the UAE in combating crime and facilitating extradition requests.
They stress that the government is committed to taking “all necessary steps to dismantle organized crime,” affirming that these bilateral treaties will provide crucial backing in addressing organized crime syndicates and international drug trafficking networks.
This collaborative spirit was championed by the late Assistant Garda Commissioner John O’Driscoll, whose vision for international partnerships has now extended to nations like the U.S., the UK, Spain, the Netherlands, Australia, and New Zealand—all working hand in hand with Irish police to tackle the Kinahan outfit.
Irish law enforcement remains steadfast in its pursuit of the Kinahan’s operations and leadership. A comprehensive file regarding Daniel Kinahan has been forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). Should the DPP find compelling evidence warranting serious charges against this crime lord, these newly established extradition protocols will make it significantly more feasible to bring him back to Ireland to face justice.
Additionally, authorities have reported a notable presence of other Irish criminals residing in Dubai, including a Donegal drug trafficker currently targeted by the Criminal Assets Bureau, who has seen his home and various assets seized.
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Additional reporting by: Dimitri O’Donnell
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
