After one of the most intense security operations ever witnessed in this State, Daniel Kinahan was on Sunday night brought before the Special Criminal Court and charged with directing the activities of a criminal organisation between 2015 and 2017. In a highly coordinated operation by gardaí and the Defence Forces, the 49-year-old was arrested and charged before being rushed from Baldonnel to the Central Criminal Court in a convoy of high-powered vehicles including BMW SUVs with blacked-out windows. A heavy garda presence was already stationed outside the perimeter of the court, including heavily armed plain clothes detectives. During a brief hearing, he confirmed his name and the court was told he had no legal representation. He was also told that he could make a bail application to the High Court given his charge in the Special Criminal Court.