Outrage over role of Dublin gang boss in world boxing showpiece
THE Irish Government will be writing to their UK counterparts and major sports satellite broadcasters expressing “outrage” at the involvement of gang boss Daniel Kinahan in the proposed blockbuster boxing showdown between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.
Irish Junior Minister Brendan Griffin made the announcement in the Dail last night.
The Fine Gael TD said he was “absolutely appalled” to see what has surfaced in the last 24 hours, alluding to the proposed twofight deal reputedly brokered by Kinahan between the two world heavyweight champions from England.
“I have today asked officials in my department (Transport, Tourism and Sport) to draft letters to my counterpart in the UK; also to the broadcasters Sky and BT, to express our outrage about this situation” said Mr Griffin.
“And my heart goes out to the decent volunteers and participants in boxing around the country who give so much time and effort.
“Sport Ireland has no connection with professional boxing, but they want to emphasise that in relation to amateur boxing in this country, there is no question whatsoever of any link to criminality.
“I think the danger is here that the reputation of Irish boxing would be tarnished.”
His comments were echoed by Sports Minister Shane Ross, who highlighted the “unparalleled” work of amateur boxing volunteers for their communities.
“It would be absolutely wrong — tragic — if their name was sullied,” Mr Ross added. It comes after Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said the Department of Foreign Affairs has been in contact with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) authorities about Kinahan after he was praised by boxing star Tyson Fury.
Mr Varadkar said he was “taken
aback” to see the crime boss name-checked by the world champion.
He made the remarks in the Dail as the Irish Government was asked to contact the UAE about Kinahan (42), who is based in the country.
Mr Varadkar told the Dail: “I was taken aback by Tyson Fury and his video and dropping in that name you mentioned.”
Mr Varadkar added: “While I cannot comment on any particular Garda operation, I can certainly assure you that there has been contact between the Department of Foreign Affairs and the authorities in the United Arab Emirates about that matter.”
Fury thanked Kinahan for brokering a fight with Anthony Joshua in a video posted on social media. Labour Party leader Alan Kelly said: “There’s an individual from our country who, according to the High Court, is a very senior figure in organised crime on a global scale and, according to CAB, has controlled and managed operations of the Kinahan organised crime group for some time.”
Kinahan was previously described in a Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) affidavit as managing and controlling day-to-day drug trafficking operations of the Kinahan gang.
The cartel has been responsible for the vast majority of the 18 murders since 2016 in a feud with the Hutch gang, including the murders of innocent people.
Since the failed attempt to murder Daniel Kinahan at Dublin’s Regency Hotel in February 2016, in which his lieutenant David Byrne was shot dead, gardai have embarked on massive drive against the Kinahan cartel.