The Minister for Justice discussed a potential extradition treaty between Ireland and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in a phone call on Monday, the Department of Justice said.
Helen McEntee spoke with the UAE’s Minister for Justice Abdullah Bin Sultan Bin Award Al Nuaimi on Monday morning about “inter-state cooperation” between An Garda Siochana and the Dubai Police, and “the possibility of a bilateral treaty on extradition, mutual legal assistance and the transfer of sentenced prisoners”, a statement from the Department said.
The conversation was “productive”, the Department added.
Earlier this year, the Irish Times reported that senior Garda officials were growing “increasingly concerned” at the failed efforts to extradite criminals from Dubai.
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Garda Commissioner Drew Harris visited Dubai in September to meet with Lieutenant General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, and Irish officials travelled to the UAE for several high level meetings in recent weeks.
The Kinahan organised crime group’s continued ability to run their international cartel from Dubai, and their possible extradition to Ireland, were discussed by Mr Harris with senior officers from the Dubai Police last month.
“Tackling organised crime is a key priority for Government and is central to building safer, stronger communities. Last year, the Government approved the expansion of the Garda Liaison Officer Network, following a request from the Garda Commissioner,” a statement from the Department said.
The expansion created two new posts for Garda Liaison Officers; the first in Abu Dhabi and the second in Bangkok. These posts are in addition to existing positions situated in Madrid, Paris, London, The Hague, Washington DC and Bogota.
The deployment of Garda Liaison Officers was “an effective and practical form of interagency cooperation between police services” and has “supported the exchange of information and the coordination of operations across borders”, it said.
“Crime is a global enterprise for many organised crime gangs and some individuals cross borders in an attempt to evade justice. We are working to build upon the positive coalitions built by An Garda Síochána to tackle transnational crime, and are determined that borders will not be barriers to effective criminal justice co-operation.”
