Irish organized crime case paused as Kinahan scouts lawyer

Ireland's Special Criminal Court adjourned the case against Daniel Kinahan, identified by U.S. authorities as leader of a major international drug-trafficking organization, after his Belfast solicitor was unable to attend Monday's hearing. Kinahan, 49, faces a charge of directing a criminal organization between 2015 and 2017 and appeared by video from Portlaoise Prison, confirming only his identity before the brief hearing ended.

The case, which drew international attention after his August extradition from the UAE, now resumes next Monday, when Kinahan is expected to appear in person and formally retain counsel. U.S. authorities have offered rewards up to $5 million for each of three Kinahan family members and tie the group to killings during a long-running gang feud and cocaine shipments worth tens of millions of pounds in related U.K. prosecutions.

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