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5th June 2023
02:57pm BST
Two men wanted by the NCA on suspicion of firearms offences have been arrested in Spain.
Liam Byrne, from Dublin, who is thought to be one of the most trusted members of the Kinahan organised crime group, was arrested on Sunday in Mallorca. Full story ➡️ https://t.co/UYYK9F9DMq pic.twitter.com/1lvj57a3WH — National Crime Agency (NCA) (@NCA_UK) June 5, 2023
The NCA said in a statement: "Liam Byrne, 42, from Dublin, who is thought to be one of the most trusted members of the Kinahan organised crime group, was arrested on Sunday evening in the Alcudia area of Mallorca while eating in a restaurant with family members.
"He had flown into Palma Airport from Dubai, UAE, on the 26 May."
Garda Assistant Commissioner Justin Kelly said the arrest is a "particularly significant development in the efforts of international law enforcement to dismantle the operations of the Kinahan Organised Crime Group". "These arrests are a demonstration of An Garda Síochána's continued cooperation with our colleagues in the National Crime Agency," he said. Jack Kavanagh, another suspected member of the group, was arrested by Spanish police on May 30 at Malaga Airport. Kay Mellor, Regional Head of Investigations at the NCA, said: "Liam Byrne and Jack Kavanagh have been evading justice for a number of years, but have now been arrested in relation to serious firearms offences. "We have an excellent relationship with the Spanish National Police and will continue to work closely with our international partners to ensure those who think they can stay under the radar have no place to hide." Both Mr. Byrne and Mr. Kavanagh remain in custody while extradition proceedings are ongoing. (Header image source: National Crime Agency)
