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Timeline: Christy Kinahan's Google reviews and Dubai presence precede Daniel Kinahan arrest (April 2026)
A chronological look at how Christy Kinahan's online activity and movements to Dubai feature in investigations, leading to Daniel Kinahan's arrest in the United Arab Emirates in April 2026. The timeline covers earlier online footprints, key sightings, and the 2026 arrests.
Why It Matters
The timeline illustrates how digital footprints and on-site surveillance intersect with international law enforcement efforts against a major criminal network.
Timeline
8 Events
April 15, 2026: Daniel Kinahan arrested in UAE
April 15, 2026
Dubai Police confirmed the arrest of Daniel Kinahan, an Irish national, on April 15, 2026, acting on an arrest warrant issued by Irish courts.
March 7, 2026: Fresh footage in Dubai published by investigators
March 7, 2026
A joint investigation by Bellingcat and The Sunday Times published on March 7, 2026, revealed fresh footage of the Kinahan leaders in Dubai.
June 14, 2025: Kinahan seen at MMA event in Coca-Cola Arena
June 14, 2025
A frame-by-frame analysis in the March 2026 investigation identified Kinahan seated ringside at a mixed martial arts event on June 14, 2025, at the Coca-Cola Arena, next to former UFC fighter Mounir Lazzez.
Summer 2025: Kinahan remains in Dubai
2025
The March 2026 investigation noted that Christy Kinahan remained in Dubai as recently as last summer, indicating ongoing presence in the emirate through 2025.
2024: Online activity linked to Kinahan movements documented
2024
An investigation by Bellingcat and The Sunday Times published in 2024 uncovered how Christy Kinahan inadvertently revealed details of his movements through online activity.
2022: U.S. bounty offered for Kinahan cartel leaders
2022
The U.S. government announced a $5 million bounty for information leading to the arrests of Christy Kinahan and his two sons as heads of the Kinahan cartel.
2019: Kinahan's Google reviews footprint begins under alias
2019
Kinahan maintained a digital footprint with Google reviews dating back to 2019 under the alias 'Christopher Vincent', referencing travel to Spain, Turkey, the Netherlands, Hong Kong, Egypt, Zimbabwe and South Africa. A review for a restaurant in Istanbul stated: 'The restaurant is chic and plush, the service was good but not outstanding.'
2016: Kinahan relocates to Dubai after Regency Hotel attack
2016
Kinahan relocated to Dubai permanently after an attempt on his life at the Regency Hotel in 2016, a move cited by the article via a BBC report.