Government jet on way to Dubai for Kinahan extradition

The new Government jet has left Ireland as the first leg of an operation is under way to extradite Daniel Kinahan back to Ireland.

The 49-year-old has been detained in Dubai since last April, following his arrest under a warrant issued by the Irish courts.

He lost his final appeal against his extradition, with Irish authorities now in the process of bringing him back to the country where he is expected to be charged with directing an organised crime group.

This morning, the Government's new Dassault Falcon 6X jet left Baldonnell and is expected to arrive in the UAE later.

It is expected to transport Mr Kinahan to Ireland tomorrow, before he will then be taken to the Special Criminal Court.

A large security operation will be in place involving gardaí, the Defence Forces, and the Irish Prison Service, which recently purchased a bulletproof and bomb-proof escort van that can be used to move criminal gang leaders, terrorists, and other inmates deemed high-risk.

The prison service has also upgraded facilities in the maximum-security Portlaoise Prison.