What next for the Cartel after arrest of its 'leader Daniel Kinahan' who faces extradition to Ireland from Dubai?

Alleged international crime boss Daniel Kinahan could face imminent charges in Ireland once he is extradited from Dubai.

Kinahan, 48, was arrested in the UAE yesterday (April 17 2026) within 48 hours of Ireland issuing an international warrant for his arrest.

He now faces extradition to Ireland to face unspecified organised crime charges after an extradition treaty was agreed between the two countries last year.

It came after an extensive garda investigation led to the submission of a file to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

The DPP has directed that Kinahan be charged with as yet unspecified organised crime offences.

But, it is understood that it could include charges in connection with murders and plots to kill as part of the Kinahan Hutch feud.

Kinahan, his father, Christy "Dapper Don" Kinahan, 69, and brother Christopbher Kinahan jr, 45, left the Costa del Sol in Spain, for Dubai, in February 2016, after their associate, David Byrne, 34, was shot dead during a boxing weigh-in at the Regency Hotel in Dublin.

Daniel Kinahan is believed to have been the actual target of the attack, carried out by gunmen disguised as police.

About 18 people are believed to have been murdered over the past decade due to the feud.

In April 2022 the US Government placed $5million (£3.7million) bounties on each of their heads.

Garda sources have not indicated that there will be any imminent action to try to extradite Kinahan's father or brother.

The Kinahans had been living in plain sight in Dubai, despite the US bounties making them among the most wanted people across the globe.

On June 14 last year he and his dad were seen in footage in the audience at a mixed martial arts event in Dubai.  

Security experts believe that since the Iran war the UAE leaders have realised they need the support of the US and to allow Kinahan to remain there seemingly mocking them could no longer continue.

Following Kinahan's arrest, the Gardaí said they are aware of "the arrest of an Irish National in the United Arab Emirates".

They said that the arrest "remains a matter for the authorities in the United Arab Emirates at this time".

They said the arrest was also in "accordance with the bilateral agreement on extradition between Ireland and the United Arab Emirates".

The Gardaí also said the "arrest is another extremely important demonstration of the need for international law enforcement cooperation in tackling transnational organised crime".

Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Jim O'Callaghan has welcomed the arrest of the Irish national in the United Arab Emirates today.

"Today’s arrest follows my request to the UAE for extradition of this individual to face charges in Ireland.

"In recent years, the UAE and Ireland have worked closely together to advance criminal investigations into serious and organised crime, including the agreement of bilateral treaties on extradition and mutual legal assistance in 2025.

"I have spoken today with my UAE counterpart Minister of Justice, His Excellency Abdullah Sultan bin Awad Al Nuaimi, to express my thanks and to acknowledge the strong judicial cooperation in criminal matters between Ireland and the UAE.

"I would like to commend all involved in today’s development, the result of tireless work by the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, officials in the Department of Justice with their UAE counterparts, the Department of Foreign Affairs and other agencies."