SDLP calls for cross-border CAB to target IRA

THE Government was yesterday urged to consider plans for an all-Ireland agency along the lines of the State’s Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB).

During a meeting with Minister for Justice Michael McDowell, the North’s SDLP said that the plan should be used to counter the cross-border criminal activities of the IRA and other paramilitary groups.

CAB has successfully targeted a number of key criminals and their possessions since being established four years ago.

Speaking after yesterday’s meeting in Dublin, Alban Maginness, the SDLP’s justice spokesman said that the minister had noted their views on the matter.

He added: “We are very, very keen on the idea of setting up an all-Ireland CAB, which would tackle the substantial, ever-increasing problem of criminality organised and orchestrated in the main by para-militaries, particularly the Provisional IRA.

“We want a body that can tackle this so that we can end this dreadful state of affairs. A third of all organised crime in Ireland is cross-border.

“The minister listened very carefully to what we said. He has been outspoken with regard to this issue and I do not believe our words fell on stony ground.”

Mr Maginness accepted that any proposals from his party would take a long time to process, but commented: “I am confident the minister will look at them and we will continue to pursue the idea rigorously with both the British and Irish governments.

“The nature of the political progress we are making on this island is that we think in joined up terms between North and South, and that is the way we should proceed.”