Kinahan cartel founder 'running out of places' to go, says Jim O'Callaghan

Justice minister also claims he will show 'backbone' in regards to ongoing legal aid dispute with the Law Society

Justice minister Jim O'Callaghan: 'Because of the great work of gardaí and UAE, they are running out of places. Where are they going to go, Iran?." Picture: Niall Carson/PA

Christy Kinahan is “running out of places" to go — and may have to flee to somewhere like Iran, justice minister Jim O’Callaghan has said.

His comment comes after the Kinahan cartel founder was given marching orders to leave the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by September 29.

Separately, Mr O’Callaghan said it was “important that the public is aware of all the factual circumstances” surrounding allegations made by Garda whistleblowers who appeared on RTÉ Prime Time Investigates last week.

He said he had sought legal advice on his ability to publicly comment on the matter — and that, if he gets the green light, will be giving “further information”.

Speaking at the annual conference of the Association of Garda Superintendents, the justice minister also said he was showing “backbone” in his legal aid dispute with the Law Society — a row likely to escalate when a number of courts return next week.

On the imminent departure of the 69-year-old founder of the Kinahan cartel, Mr O’Callaghan said that as a result of “outstanding cooperation” with authorities in the UAE, cartel lieutenant Sean McGovern was extradited to Ireland in May 2025 and convicted last June.

Daniel Kinahan extradition

This was followed by the extradition of suspected cartel leader and Christy's son Daniel Kinahan last August to face charges.

Christy lives in Dubai with his family, along with his son Christropher Jr.

“Certainly, the Kinahans are running out of places to go,” Mr O’Callaghan said. “Because of the effective work of An Garda Síochána, they were run out of Ireland. 

"Because of the great work of An Garda Síochána and Spanish authorities, they were run out of Spain. Because of the great work of gardaí and UAE, they are running out of places. 

"Where are they going to go, Iran?” 

US bounty

He pointed out the “Americans are looking for him”, referring to the $5m (€4.39m) US ransom on him.

Also at the conference, Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly cited the US bounty and added: “There are other people out there we are interested in, other than the two that have come back.” 

Asked about the Kinahan cartel’s involvement, as reported in the Irish Examiner, in the cocaine laboratory discovered in Co Kildare, he said: “These groups aren’t about one or two people. Even when one or two people are removed, even if they are very senior people, these groups often continue.” 

On the garda whistleblowers, the commissioner said he and his senior team were examining the issue and that they “may look to an external body” to review processes and systems.

On the RTÉ programme Prime Time Investigates, he said: “We certainly have concerns around the balance of that, we intend to write to RTÉ and set out our concerns. 

"We certainly do not agree with everything that was in that programme.”

• Cormac O'Keeffe, Security Correspondent