McDowell goes after IRA’s millions in assets
Mr McDowell said the IRA had an estimated €200 million which were the proceeds of crime invested in assets here and abroad.
"That is an estimate based on income flows the organisation has had in place for years now. It is our belief that has been converted into assets," he said.
Commenting on the eve of an IRA statement, expected to announce the abandonment of paramilitary violence and criminal activity, Mr McDowell said the IRA's assets belonged to the State.
"In relation to assets, it is our firm and fixed intention, regardless of any developments in the political scene, to hunt down any assets which we come aware of and bring them back into public ownership.
"My function as Minister of Justice is to seek out those assets and find them wherever I can and I intend to do that," he said.
He said the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) was already targeting paramilitary assets, often with the assistance of the its Northern equivalent, the Assets Recovery Agency (ARA).
"CAB and the Assets Recovery Agency have a very close working relationship and that relationship is going to be intensified."
He said criminal gangs, whether organised crime or paramilitary outfits, did not respect borders and that both jurisdictions co-operated intensely.
Mr McDowell said he had no doubt some of the individuals in the IRA would continue with their lucrative smuggling and counterfeiting operations after the disbandment of the IRA.
"What I want to do is completely and totally sever the connection between anyone who is seeking election, and the support of the electorate, and organised crime, whether it is paramilitary or not.
"I want to ensure those assets do not find their way either into the political system or into terrorism in the future."
He said the IRA statement must be clear and must be followed by total implementation, verified by the Independent Monitoring Commission.
The minister was speaking at an event involving the Probation and Welfare Service in Dublin. Mr McDowell presented mini-buses to eight community projects supported by the Probation Service.
Acting principal of the Probation Service John Kilcommins said that the buses would provide practical assistance as well as enhance resocialisation and sports programmes.
Mr McDowell said that the department provided €18.5 million this year to 69 community-based voluntary bodies, which provide a range of supports, from accommodation, education, drug and alcohol treatment and post-release supervision.
He said that he was carrying out a fundamental review of the entire Probation Service with a view to radical reform.
The service, an agency of the department, has a budget of €45m.
