Kinahan remanded, to be represented by Belfast solicitor

Daniel Kinahan, 49, is to be represented by a solicitor from Belfast in the Special Criminal Court. The court heard that he appeared via video link from Portlaoise Prison today and is charged with directing the activities of a criminal organization between October 18, 2015, and April 6, 2017. Senior Counsel David Perry informed the brief hearing that he was instructed to appear by Darragh Mackin from Phoenix Law.

Mackin expressed his regret for not being able to attend due to an unexpected last-minute development, and requested that Kinahan be in court in person the following Monday. Justice Caroline Biggs agreed to the application and remanded Kinahan in continuing custody, ordering him to appear again at the Special Criminal Court on Monday.

Kinahan spoke three times during the brief hearing, first to confirm his identity, then to confirm his ability to hear and see the proceedings, and finally to thank the court. This was his second appearance since his extradition from the United Arab Emirates on August 9.