A new bomb and bullet proof escort van has been bought by the Irish Prison Service ahead of Daniel Kinahan's planned extradition back to Ireland.
The bullet proof escort van, which is used when moving criminal gang leaders, terrorists and other inmates at risk, is to transfer Daniel Kinahan to and from the Special Criminal Court court ahead of his trial on charges of directing activities of a criminal organisation.
This comes after Daniel Kinahan had lost his final appeal in Dubai, where he has been remanded in custody, having been arrested on April 17.
Arrangements to bring Mr Kinahan back to Ireland so he can be handed over to Gardaí are being made, while the prison service has also upgraded its security around prisons and escorts ahead of his arrival.
The van has had ballistic protection installed to stop high powered handgun and assault rifle rounds, while floor and panel reinforcements have also been added to deter any minor explosives and improvised explosive threats.
The vehicle is also being specially controlled and overlooking interior controlled doors, along with a two stage entry and exit system. While the tyres are designed to run flat, and the suspension and fuel tank is tamper proof.
Daniel Kinahan had been arrested following an intensive Garda investigation, with a file being submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions, who directed that he be charged with the Organised Crime offence. A warrant was secured by Gardaí for Kinahan's arrest in the High Court in Ireland, before being transferred to the UAE authorities.
Elsewhere, Minister for Justice, Jim O'Callaghan said that he had been in direct contact with the UAE authorities, to thank them for their co operation in this case.
Kinahan, is due to face trial at the Special Criminal Court, and is expected to be escorted back the same way that Sean McGovern was escorted last year, via an Air Corps 295 and flown from Baldonnel to pick him up in Dubai.
This happened after Sean McGovern, Kinahan's right hand man, was extradited last year, and pleaded guilty to charges of directing a criminal gang regarding the surveillance of rival Hutch gang member, James 'Mago' Gately, and the murder of an innocent grandfather, Noel Kirwan. More on this here.
