Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Kinahan returned on state jet, charged with directing criminal gang

8/10/2026

42 8 Full Breakdown

Summary

Kinahan Charged

Daniel Kinahan was flown back on government jet, escorted by Gardaí and Defence Forces, and charged with directing a criminal organisation at the Special Criminal Court on Sunday.
He was moved to Portlaoise Prison, placed in A Block, and kept in his cell 20 hours daily.
Kinahan must appear again on 5 October, a bail request to High Court is likely denied, and was sanctioned in April 2022 with a $5 million reward.

Summary

Kinahan Orders Hits

The February 2016 Regency Hotel murder of Kinahan associate David Byrne sparked feud.
Republican Michael Barr was shot dead after Kinahan, proof lacking, believed Michael Barr took part in that murder.
Encrypted messages show Kinahan 'Bon Neww' ordered Sean McGovern in April 2017 to chase James Gately.
Estonian hitman Imre Arakas arrived in Ireland on 3 April 2017, was detained the next day, and held a Blackberry with Kinahan-coded orders.

History

Historical Context

Veronica Guerin’s 1996 murder shocked Ireland, prompting Taoiseach John Bruton to pass the Proceeds of Crime Act and create the Criminal Assets Bureau. Within a year the CAB seized about £5 million of drugs and £6.5 million of property, and drug-related crime fell 15 percent. Today that framework underpins the multinational ongoing hunt for Daniel Kinahan.

1 of 3

Kinahan Charged

Daniel Kinahan was flown back on government jet, escorted by Gardaí and Defence Forces, and charged with directing a criminal organisation at the Special Criminal Court on Sunday.
He was moved to Portlaoise Prison, placed in A Block, and kept in his cell 20 hours daily.
Kinahan must appear again on 5 October, a bail request to High Court is likely denied, and was sanctioned in April 2022 with a $5 million reward.

1 / 3