Daniel Kinahan to be segregated in Portlaoise Prison with his own gym and library

Daniel Kinahan has been transferred to Portlaoise Prison following his extradition from Dubai, arriving in Ireland via a government jet. The 49-year-old, who appeared at Dublin's Special Criminal Court, was transported to the Co Laois jail by gardaí due to the prison escort service not operating on a Sunday night. Portlaoise Prison, historically associated with terrorist inmates, now primarily houses individuals involved in organized crime.

Kinahan will be held as a remand prisoner until his trial next year. He is being housed in a specially cleared section of A Block, a space typically accommodating around eight prisoners. Prison sources indicate that efforts will be made to monitor him closely and ensure he adjusts to the prison regime, given his lack of prior experience with the Irish prison system as he has no prior convictions. He is considered innocent in the eyes of the law at this stage.

While awaiting trial, Kinahan will be segregated and provided with specific facilities, including a gym equipped with free weights and a treadmill, with a rowing machine expected to be added. He will also have access to a library. His arrival was late, meaning initial medical assessments were conducted by a nurse rather than a doctor. He is scheduled to meet with the duty governor and a doctor on Monday morning.

If convicted at trial, Kinahan faces a potential prison sentence ranging from 20 to 30 years. However, if he successfully fights the case and is acquitted, he would be released immediately. The Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, has praised the efforts of the gardaí and UAE police in the operation but declined to comment directly on Kinahan's extradition.

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This guy could settle in immediately. And we have a duty to provide a few facilities, but the so-called gym and library are nothing much. The gym is probably slightly bigger than a box room in a house.