Kinahan has been detained in Dubai since April last year, following his arrest on foot of a warrant issued by the Irish courts. The final stage of the extradition process is now under way after years of investigations into his alleged activities by the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau.
An Air Corps aircraft carrying Kinahan departed Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai at approximately 10.30am Irish time on Sunday. The Government jet is expected to arrive at Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnel, Co Dublin, at around 7pm.
A team of gardaí travelled to Dubai on a Defence Forces flight on Saturday morning and are accompanying Kinahan on the journey back to Ireland. He is expected to be arrested immediately after landing before being brought before the Special Criminal Court.
His arrival has prompted a significant security operation involving An Garda Síochána, the Defence Forces and the Irish Prison Service.
The prison service has recently invested in a heavily protected escort vehicle capable of resisting both bullets and explosives. The vehicle is designed to transport prisoners considered particularly high-risk, including suspected organised-crime figures, terrorists and other dangerous inmates.
Security arrangements have also been strengthened at Portlaoise Prison, Ireland's maximum-security facility, where Kinahan is expected to be held in custody following his court appearance.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has expressed strong confidence in the ability of Irish authorities to manage the operation. He praised An Garda Síochána, Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly, Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan and successive justice ministers for their work in tackling organised crime.
Mr Martin also thanked authorities in the United Arab Emirates for their cooperation with Ireland, describing the relationship between the two countries in this area as particularly strong in recent years.
He said he had "great confidence" in the ability of gardaí to respond effectively to whatever circumstances may arise.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee also welcomed Kinahan's extradition, describing the development as the result of years of determined work by Gardaí, successive governments and officials.
She said the efforts were aimed at ensuring that people suspected of involvement in serious and organised crime could not avoid facing the Irish justice system.
Ms McEntee paid tribute to the late John O'Driscoll and former Garda Commissioner Drew Harris for their contribution to tackling organised crime and strengthening cooperation with international law-enforcement agencies.
She also highlighted the work carried out by the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Department of Justice, the Department of Foreign Affairs, the UAE government and other agencies involved in the extradition process.
The extradition follows the signing of an extradition treaty between Ireland and the UAE in October 2024 and concludes a lengthy process involving investigations, legal proceedings and international cooperation.
