The 49-year-old is being returned under Garda escort.

The 49-year-old is being returned under Garda escort after he lost his final appeal against extradition from the United Arab Emirates.

Kinahan has been detained in Dubai since his arrest on April 15, following an arrest warrant issued by the Irish courts.

He is expected to be charged with directing an organised crime group.

According to RTÉ, a large-scale security operation is planned ahead of Kinahan's arrival at Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnel aboard the Government's new Falcon 6X jet.

Armed Gardaí, the Defence Forces and the Irish Prison Service will all be involved in the operation.

The prison service recently purchased a bulletproof and bomb-proof escort van for moving high-risk inmates to Portlaoise Prison, where Kinahan is expected to be held ahead of his return to Ireland and trial.

It departed Dubai World Central at around 10.20am and is expected to land at Baldonnel at approximately 7pm Irish time this evening.

Kinahan is expected to be taken directly to the Special Criminal Court following his arrival.