'Not a hope in hell': Why James English's prison interview with Daniel Kinahan won't happen

Well-known podcaster James English wont be allowed visit Daniel Kinahan due to a pending domestic violence case, it has emerged.

English, who has conducted a series of interviews with Kinahan (49), is hoping to visit Kinahan in Portlaoise Prison, following an invite from the accused mob boss.

Kinahan told the Anything Goes podcast host before being extradited to Ireland this week that he would be most welcome to come and conduct an interview with him in Irelands maximum security prison in Co Laois.

However, sources say there are a multitude of reasons as to why English wont get anywhere near the visitor centre of the prison, should he try.

Among them is the fact that he remains on trial for alleged domestic violence in the UK. Sources say the matter would need to be resolved before he could even be considered on a visitor list.

When contacted in a private message on X by the Irish Mirror for comment about the fact that he will not be allowed interview Kinahan behind bars, Mr English responded by sending back three laughing emojis. He then blocked this reporter on the platform.

English is accused of kicking a pregnant woman off his bed after she refused to give him a cuddle. The Scottish national, who denies the charge, is accused of lashing out at a flat in Glasgow in September 2022 after the 30-year-old model and influencer told him she felt sick.

The matter remains before Glasgow Sheriff Court and therefore is a major stumbling block, sources say, towards his entry into an Irish prison. However, aside from that case, sources say English would not be allowed to interview Kinahan behind bars - should the crime boss put him on his visitor list. To do so would be in breach of the terms of any visit and would see Kinahan being reprimanded.

Kinahan can however try to put English on his call list as a friend - but again he would be sanctioned should it emerge that the calls were recorded and used for interview purposes.

Aside from trying to visit or call, English does have the option of formally writing to the Governor of Portlaoise Prison to request an interview with Kinahan. However, sources say he has no chance of having this approved.

He hasnt a hope in hell of that obviously, a source said. This is the most high-profile prisoner in the history of the State and no one is going to be allowed to interview him in there while he awaits trial.

Visitor list

Kinahan is allowed to place people on his visitor list and call list and state the relationship he has with them. However, the list needs to be approved by prison authorities- and if any breach of the rules occurs, the visitor or caller can be struck off the list for good.

If Kinahan breaches those rules he could have certain privileges taken off him - such as time out of his cell and visits. Its in his best interest to put the head down now and get past this notion of an interview from his cell, a source said.

It comes as Kinahan, speaking from Dubai Prison, told English in a phone call last week: Im looking forward to getting home now. Hopefully if they give you a chance to come over and do a proper interview when Im down in Portlaoise James, youd be most welcome.

Kinahan is now being housed on a landing on the A Block of Portlaoise Prison. He will remain there until his trial takes place some time next year. He does however have the opportunity to apply for bail before the High Court.

During his 14-minute appearance before the Special Criminal Court on Sunday, Kinahan admitted however that it was unlikely he would get bail. I think we all know I wont be getting bail, he told presiding Judge Patrick McGrath.

It is understood that other prisoners, such as crystal meth hauler Nathan McDonnell, are housed on the landing but are separated further down.

A section of the landing has been reserved for Kinahan - who is currently under close observation. He will be allowed time out of his cell for exercise in the gym alone and to access the yard - again alone.

He is entitled to scheduled phone calls and to visits - and has access to a TV and subscription services such as Netflix. He is being housed on the same block as his right-hand-man Sean McGovern - but for now the two will not meet.

It is understood Gardai did not request the services of the Irish Prison Service for Sunday's court appearance at the Special Criminal Court.

The IPS had purchased a bullet-and-bomb-proof van - but it was not needed for the heavily armed Garda escort that brought Kinahan to Portlaoise last night. Instead it is envisaged it may be needed for any potential further court appearances and the trial.

'Encrypted conversations' central to case

Kinahan is accused of directing a criminal organisation during a period in October 2015 to April 2017 - at the height of the Kinahan Hutch feud.

It is thought the case pertains to encrypted conversations between members of the cartel and a handle that the State will allege belonged to Kinahan - who gave orders around various murder plots.

One such murder plot relates to plots to kill the Hutch associate James Mago Gately - while another is thought to pertain to an attempt to kill Gerry The Monk Hutch in Lanzarote.

On Sunday, Kinahan was flown into Casement Aerodrome airport in Baldonnell at 6.30pm - having been handed over to Gardai at Dubais Al Maktoum Airport earlier that day.

The government jet - a Dassault Falcon 6X, took off from Dubai at 10:20am Irish time and flew direct to Dublin. Once on Irish soil, Kinahan was arrested on the tarmac by Detective Sergeant Colin Davidson of the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau at 6:49pm.

Kinahan was then taken under heavy armed escort straight to the Criminal Courts of Justice in Parkgate Street - where he arrived at 7:10pm. He was brought into the basement area of the CCJ where he remained until he was brought to a holding cell just before the sitting got underway.

Armed Gardai brought Kinahan into the court at 8.09pm as the Judges entered the room. The prosecution explained in court that Kinahan did not have legal representation present - and had asked a family member to arrange.

I didnt have time to arrange anything. I said to the gardai I was taken in Dubai and I was isolated from Friday afternoon, Kinahan told the Judges.

Judge McGrath said the court should proceed with the details of the charge after the court heard Kinahan understood he had no representation today but would arrange for it.

It was explained to Kinahan that the case would be put back to October 5 after the details were read to which he responded in court Ok thank you.

Judge McGrath told the accused it was in his interests to contact legal counsel after the hearing to which Kinahan said: I understand everything. Thank you your honour.

Further asked if he wanted to appear at the next hearing or via video link from prison Kinahan asked: Do I have to decide now your honour? The Judges informed him he did not have to decide now.

Speaking after the jet landed in Ireland, Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly said: "This arrest shows our determination, along with our international policing partners including Dubai Police, to target transnational organised crime groups.

It also shows the value of our relationship with the authorities in the United Arab Emirates, the Ministry of Justice at judicial level, and on a police-to-police basis.

This relationship has been supported by the Irish Governments Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.

[Google Preferred Source Badge]Follow Irish Mirror: