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If Daniel Kinahan is charged I will be the first person in court, says heartbroken sister of cartel murder victim

• , Crime Editor

• Published: 7:00, 28 Aug 2023
• Updated: 9:08, 28 Aug 2023

• C

THE heartbroken sister of a Kinahan cartel murder victim told how she will be “the first person in court” if mob boss Daniel Kinahan is ever charged by gardai.

And Noeleen Barr – whose brother Michael, 35, was shot dead by the narco terrorist gang in April 2016 – has also vowed to travel to the US if charges are brought against the cartel leaders by the Drugs Enforcement Agency (DEA).

The murder victim’s sister made the claims after Garda Commissioner Drew Harris confirmed last week a comprehensive file on the mob’s leaders had been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

And as part of the ongoing efforts to target groups such as the Kinahan mob, we can also reveal that Gardai will have a liaison officer based in Thailand over the coming weeks.

Although Eamon Cumberton, 34, Christopher Slator, 38, and David Hunter, 44 are serving life for the dad’s murder, Noeleen wants to see the Kinahan clan behind bars for orchestrating the murders.

She said: “If Daniel Kinahan, his brother and father ever appear in court it will be fantastic news for us.

“This isn’t just about justice for the devastation for our family – this is about justice for all the families whose lives have been destroyed by this cartel.

“We’re delighted that the DPP now has this comprehensive file and we just hope the DPP makes a decision which leads to these people being brought to court.

“If they appear in court in Ireland I will be the first person through the door, but if they appear in court in America I will be on the first flight out.

“All the families have been through hell and we would love to see them in court on serious ch

She added: “To think they are leading normal lives in Dubai while we continue to suffer is sickening.

“Michael’s children will never see their dad again but the leaders of this gang continue to live the high life.

“So much pain and misery has been caused by this criminal organisation and we just hope a decision is made by the DPP soon.”

Michael was the seventh victim of the Kinahan-Hutch feud when two masked gunmen stormed into the Sunset House pub in north inner city Dublin where he worked on April 25, 2016 and shot him.

He was never a suspect for the murder of David Byrne at the Regency Hotel or questioned about the killing.

It is believed the cartel leadership sanctioned his murder because he was from the same town as Regency gunman Kevin ‘Flatcap’ Murray and was a known republican.

At present, Gardai are satisfied that the cartel leadership remains in Dubai.

GARDAI WORK WITH COPS ABROAD

Senior Garda figures have also travelled to the UAE in recent years with high level talks also continuing between the Irish Government and the UAE.

Although Ireland has no extradition treaty with Dubai, Gardai could seek a “mutual assistance” request if the DPP rules there is enough evidence to charge the cartel leaders.

The US Government’s Drugs Enforcement Agency also continues to play a key role in the mission to smash the Kinahan empire.

Just last week, DEA investigators travelled to Dublin to meet with senior officers from the GNDOCB.

One investigator told us: “The DEA are the Gardai’s primary partners in targeting transnational organised crime groups involved in global drug trafficking.

“Their proactive collaboration with the Garda National Drugs & Organised Crime Bureau has ensured no

A Garda spokesperson also said: “Following a comprehensive and wide-ranging investigation by the Garda Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau into numerous serious offences committed here in Ireland by the Kinahan Organised Crime Gang, An Garda Siochana has recently submitted a file to the DPP.

“An Garda Siochana also continues to work with law enforcement partners in the US, UK and Europe as part of a combined international effort to disrupt and dismantle the Kinahan Organised Crime Gang as outlined at a joint media briefing in Dublin in April, 2022.”