This is the moment cartel bosses Daniel Kinahan and Thomas “Bomber” Kavanagh met for a gang summit – following the Regency Hotel murder of David Byrne.

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Dubai hails ‘successful’ visit of Garda chief as noose tightens around Kinahan Cartel

At the end of the meeting, Lieutenant General Al Marri presented Garda Commissioner Drew Harris with a commemorative shield

Yesterday at 14:47

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has appeared in a new photo meeting Dubai’s Commander-in-Chief of Police in high-level talks aimed at taking down the Kinahan Cartel.

The Government of Dubai has published the picture of the Garda boss who is seen sitting down with Lieutenant General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri following a “successful” visit to the desert kingdom.

The photo on the government’s own website shows Lieutenant General Al Marri with Commissioner Harris, along with his accompanying delegation, at the Dubai Police Officers’ Club.

The high-level meeting concludes the visit by the Garda chief to UAE where both police forces vowed to strengthen cooperation “in combating money laundering, cross-border crimes, and cybercrimes and facilitate the exchange of expertise in various fields”.

Mr Harris travelled to the United Arab Emirates city with the Assistant Commissioner Justin Kelly to organise how Kinahan cartel leaders could be flown back to Ireland.

During the meeting, Lieutenant General Al Marri underscored the Dubai Police’s commitment to strengthening its international relations and partnerships and facilitating the exchange of knowledge, expertise, and best practices in security and law enforcement across diverse fields of operation.

“Meanwhile, the Garda Commissioner Drew Harris conveyed his admiration for the remarkable progress achieved in the field of policing and security by Dubai Police, praising the exceptional level of professionalism and expertise demonstrated in their work,” the Dubai Government said in a statement.

At the end of the meeting, Lieutenant General Al Marri presented Garda Commissioner Drew Harris with a commemorative shield in honour of the “successful visit”.

It was also revealed how the Irish delegation was given a tour of the Smart Police Station (SPS) at City Walk, where they were given a detailed overview of the station’s wide range of services in seven different languages.

They also had the chance to explore various vintage and modern police patrols, as well as the bicycles used by the Dubai Police.

As we have already reported, the extradition of gang figure Sean McGovern from his desert bolt hole in Dubai is being seen as a “test case” ahead of the Irish State’s moves to bring home Kinahan Cartel leadership.

An arrest warrant remains in place for Daniel Kinahan’s right-hand man in relation to a Hutch/Kinahan feud murder

Gardai suspect he had a role in organising a number of other feud murders including that of Noel ‘Duck Egg’ Kirwan (62) who was shot six times as he sat in his car on December 22, 2016, at St Ronan’s Drive, Clondalkin, Dublin 22.

Gardaí also want to charge Mr McGovern with gangland offences relating to the murder attempt on Hutch associate James ‘Mago’ Gately.

Originally from Crumlin, McGovern, who was once a key part of the Byrne Organised Crime Group and for years ran the Kinahan’s Irish operation, moved to the Emirates full-time following the murder of Kirwan in December 2016.

He was named during the US sanctions as being wanted for murder and directing and participating in an organised criminal group. Gardai stated on April 12 this year that the High Court had issued a European Arrest Warrant for him.

However, McGovern has yet to be picked up by police.

McGovern, who became very close to Daniel following the attack at the Regency Hotel and who was injured during the weigh-in shootout, later became Kinahan’s most senior and trusted sidekick.

His girlfriend Anita Freeman and children relocated to the Emirates after he fled Ireland in the wake of the Kirwan murder.

McGovern’s former home at Kildare Road in Crumlin was later seized as part of CAB’s Proceeds of Crime case against the Byrne organisation.

Before the Bureau was handed the keys of the house its fixtures and fittings, including the kitchen and bathrooms, were ripped out.

McGovern has been helping Kinahan with his business ventures while resident in the UAE.

In July of last year, a man described as a “trusted enabler” of the Kinahan Cartel was jailed for over eight years for his role in the murder of Kirwan and the attempted murder of an associate of the rival Hutch gang.

Martin Aylmer was sentenced to 10 years and four months with the final two suspended after pleading guilty for participating in or contributing to the murder of innocent father-of-four Kirwan in 2016.

He had previously pleaded guilty to a similar offence in relation to the attempted murder of James ‘Mago’ Gately.

Both men were targeted because the Kinahan cartel believed they were associated with people involved in the murder of David Byrne at the Regency Hotel in February 2016, the Special Criminal Court heard.

Last month, gardai recommended that Daniel Kinahan is charged with directing a murderous criminal organisation, in a file submitted to state prosecutors.

The file is being examined by the Director of Prosecutions (DPP), who will decide if there is enough evidence to bring formal charges against the cartel leader.

Detectives from the Garda’s Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau have been working on the inquiry for several years, with the aim of bringing down both Kinahan and the rest of the gang’s hierarchy.

Garda Commissioner Harris revealed this week that a file has been submitted to the DPP for consideration as part of the investigation.

Sundayworld.com understands that recommendations contained within it are that Daniel Kinahan be charged with directing an organised crime gang. The offence, on conviction, carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

The submission of the file to the DPP had remained secret until the garda chief stated it had been sent to prosecutors for consideration.

A collective $15 million (€13.8m) bounty also remains in place from the US Treasury Department for information leading to the conviction of Daniel Kinahan, his father Christy Sr and brother Christopher Jr, and the dismantling of their crime gang.

Gardaí said that to date, more than 70 gang members have been convicted for offences, including murder, drug trafficking, firearms and money laundering.

A spokesperson said that as the file has been submitted to the DPP, they could not comment any further.

It is a further blow to the Kinahan organised crime gang, which in recent years has had senior figures jailed or being sought to face charges by gardaí.