Sinn Féin “unaware” MP Finucane in the running to represent Daniel Kinahan

It's understood Kinahan has reached out to a number of prominent solicitors in Belfast and Dublin.

Cavan-Monaghan TD Matt Carthy told reporters on Tuesday he was unaware of reports that Finucane met with Mr Kinahan in Portlaoise prison last week.

Finucane is a partner in the legal practice Finucane Toner, which he operates alongside Ciarán Toner.

Finucane Toner have previously sent out two legal letters on Mr Kinahan’s behalf in 2020, however he has not been confirmed as Kinahan's current representation.

Mr Kinahan appeared before the Special Criminal Court on August 9, having been charged with directing the activities of a criminal organisation after he was extradited back to his native Dublin from the UAE.

During the first hearing, Mr Kinahan did not have any legal representation and was remanded in custody before being transferred to the maximum-security Portlaoise Prison.

Carthy, a senior Sinn Fein representative said he was unaware of the matter.

“I haven’t seen those reports, so I’ll have a look at them and I’ll come back to you,” Mr Carthy told reporters on Tuesday.

“I’m not going to speak in hypotheticals. Let me find out what the actual situation is, and I’ll come back to you when I have the facts.” 

Mr Finucane has been contacted for comment by JOE.

Mr Finucane is the son of murdered solicitor Pat Finucane and has been an MP for north Belfast since 2019.