Drew Harris 'working towards' extradition agreement with UAE to target Kinahan gang
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris was speaking in Rathcormac, Co Cork, at the official reopening of Rathcormac Garda Station after a five-month refurbishment. Picture: Andy Gibson
Efforts are underway to develop a bilateral agreement between An Garda Síochána and Dubai police to advance the investigation into the Kinahan organised crime gang, according to the Garda Commissioner.
Speaking in Rathcormac, Co Cork on Thursday, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said correspondence has been exchanged between himself and the Lieutenant General Commander in Chief of Dubai Police, Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, following Commissioner Harris’s visit to Dubai last week.
The Garda Commissioner said: “Last week I had the privilege of visiting Dubai police.
“Obviously, elements of the Kinahan organised crime gang are based there, so it’s in our interests as a police service and actually in bringing individuals to justice that we have a good relationship with Dubai police.
“I think last week was a really important step.”
He added: “I think we can have a very positive partnership with them, so the invitation has been made for them to visit Dublin so we can share information and intelligence and then obviously work towards a bilateral agreement with the Dubai police in terms of advancing our investigations.”
At present, there is no extradition agreement between Ireland and the UAE.
During last week’s visit, Commissioner Harris met several high-ranking officers from the Dubai force’s anti-narcotics and criminal investigations departments, and the unit that tackles money laundering.
Following last week’s meeting, Lieutenant General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri released a statement saying the meeting “was aimed at strengthening co-operation in combatting money laundering, cross-border, and cyber crimes”.
Commissioner Harris and the Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee, were in Rathcormac, Co Cork, for the reopening of the local garda station, which has been refurbished over a five-month period.
The station is now wheelchair-accessible, and the public office now has a facility for people with hearing difficulties. It is also one of the first garda stations in the Southern garda region to have an electric vehicle charging point.
Former gardaí who previously served in Rathcormac attended the event.
Commissioner Harris said An Garda Síochána thanked the local community for facilitating the works and said the organisation is committed to protecting the environment.
He said: “As part of that commitment, we are investing in energy-efficient buildings and in electric vehicles.”
The station is now fully insulated, has a new energy-efficient heating system, and is lit with LED lighting in a step to meet the targets set out in the Climate Action Plan 2023.
Commissioner Harris said the Rathcormac station “is the very essence of what An Garda Síochána is all about — a service which is local and responsive to local community concerns and needs.”
He said there was just one garda based in the station when it closed last October for the refurbishment works. There are now two based in the station, he added.
“We remain as committed as ever to community policing and the investment here is an example of this.”
Justice Minister Helen McEntee described it as a positive and happy occasion for the local community.
She said: “I cannot stress enough the amount of respect and the trust we place in you and the Irish people place in you and the work that you do in keeping us safe day in, day out. As a country, we are immensely proud of the work that you do.”
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