Daniel Kinahan is taking on a high-profile Belfast-based solicitor to defend him in his criminal trial.

The Special Criminal Court heard yesterday that Darragh Mackin, of Phoenix Law, will apply to come on record next week to act in Kinahan’s case. Kinahan, who was extradited from Dubai in August, faces charges of directing the activities of a criminal organisation between October 18, 2015 and April 6, 2017.

He appeared on video-link from Portlaoise Prison yesterday, but the court was told he wants to appear in person when Mr Mackin attends court for the next mention of the case on Monday next week.

Kinahan, 49, was due to be served with the book of evidence and have a trial date set at the three-judge, non-jury court yesterday afternoon. However, barrister David Perry told the packed court that solicitor Mr Mackin was unable to attend the sitting due to unexpected professional difficulties.

Mr Perry asked to adjourn the matter for a week, which was agreed to by Judge Caroline Biggs.

Mr Mackin recently successfully represented Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, better known as Mo Chara from Irish rap band Kneecap, in a headline-grabbing legal battle against a terrorism charge in the UK.

He also won a discrimination case for Kneecap against the UK government after its former business secretary, Kemi Badenoch, refused them funding.

Mr Mackin acted for the ‘Hooded Men’ in their victory in the London Supreme Court, for Sarah Ewart in her challenge to the law on abortion in Northern Ireland and for the families in the Stardust fire inquest, in which a verdict of unlawful killing was delivered.

He successfully secured some significant settlements, including € 24 million to the Stardust families and the payment of £ 16.7 million (€ 19.7 million) to taxi drivers in Northern Ireland arising from the Covid pandemic.

He hit the headlines when he represented so-called ISIS bride and ex-Irish Army soldier Lisa Smith and is currently representing the residents of Garvaghy Road in the contentious Drumcree parade dispute.