Senior Kinahan gang figure among two Irish men held in Netherlands

Dutch police arrest four people and seize three guns at pub in centre of Amsterdam

Dutch police have arrested four men in Amsterdam, at least one of them allegedly connected to the Kinahan gang. Three guns were also seized.

The four include two British nationals and two Irish men. Two of those arrested are 29, another is 23 and the fourth is 37.

They were all detained in Rembrandtplein (Rembrandt Square), a major square in central Amsterdam replete with numerous bars and restaurants, at 8.45 on Sunday night.

It is understood a person complained to police in the square after allegedly being threatened with a gun. The complainant identified the man who allegedly threatened them, pointing him out as he entered a bar on Rembrandtplein.

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When the police went inside, they found the man with three others and arrested all four on the basis that all were involved in delivering the alleged threat.

One of the four, a 29 year old, is reported to be a senior figure in the Kinahan gang from the Drimnagh area of Dublin who has convictions for drug dealing.

Under Dutch law, the four can be held for up to three days and, during this period, they must either be brought before an investigating judge or released.

If they are brought to court, the judge can decide if the suspect s must remain in custody while police inquiries continue.

Last night, Dutch sources said they expected the four to appear before a judge on Wednesday. Dutch police declined to confirm any details regarding the identities of the four or any alleged gang allegiances.

Peter Murtagh

Peter Murtagh

Peter Murtagh is a contributor to The Irish Times