Courts / Dublin / Report

Former senior Kinahan Cartel gangster Keating appears in court after UK issues extradition warrant

Date
2026-06-26
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

Peter 'Peadar' Keating, a former senior member of the Kinahan Cartel, appeared in the High Court in Dublin following an extradition warrant issued by the UK. Keating, 45, was sentenced in December 2024 at the Old Bailey to four years and eight months for his role in a failed plot to secure a reduced jail term for Thomas 'Bomber' Kavanagh by amassing a weapons arsenal. At the time, Keating was already serving an 11-year sentence in Ireland for directing the attempted murder of a rival Hutch gang member. The UK warrant, issued in November 2022, stated that firearms were sourced from the Netherlands as part of a scheme to demonstrate Kavanagh's cooperation. Kavanagh, a senior Kinahan drug trafficker, was jailed in England in March 2022 for 21 years for importing over £30M worth of drugs. Keating's legal team, led by Keith Spencer BL, highlighted significant issues in the case and applied for legal aid, which was granted. The matter was adjourned to July 8 for further proceedings. The unnamed man pleaded guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Former senior Kinahan Cartel gangster Keating appears in court after UK issues extradition warrant. Charges or matters: directing the activities of a criminal organisation between December 7, 2016 and April 6, 2017, within and outside the State. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

Case subjects

Unnamed man

Convicted Person

Charges: directing the activities of a criminal organisation between December 7, 2016 and April 6, 2017, within and outside the State (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Keating (45) was sentenced at the Old Bailey in December 2024 to four years and eight months imprisonment for his role in the botched scheme to gather guns and ammunition in a bid to get a lower term of imprisonment for Kavanagh. Kavanagh, a senior Kinahan cartel drug trafficker who is aged in his 50s, was jailed in England in March 2022 for 21 years for importing cocaine and cannabis worth more than £30M (€35M) into the UK.; The application was granted by Mr Justice Sean Gillane, who adjourned the matter to July 8.

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • High Court
  • Special Criminal Court
Secondary Mention
Residence

Topics

Drugs Stage Sentence Violent Crime

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