CAB seized €16m from criminals last year
CAB’s annual report revealed 2005 was one of its most successful years in reclaiming criminals’ property.
The agency disposed of former homes of ‘The General’ Martin Cahill and a prominent Limerick gang member last year.
Over the last decade, CAB obtained interim and final restraint orders to stop criminals disposing of property worth over €83m and collected almost €89m in taxes and interest.
Although its record is almost identical to what it was in 2004, CAB pulled in almost double the 2003 figure and returned €18.5m to the exchequer last year.
Last year, it obtained 96 search warrants and got various categories of court orders issued in more than 150 cases.
CAB appointed receivers in 13 cases where it was given High Court permission to dispose of a person’s assets.
Publishing the agency’s 10th annual report, Justice Minister Michael McDowell commended the work of CAB throughout the year.
“The report unequivocally demonstrates the success of the bureau in pursuing the assets of those involved in criminal activity,” he said.
“The bureau is an integral element in the armoury of the State to ensure crime doesn’t pay and I commend the bureau on its achievements in 2005.”
Included in its reports was the details of two substantial payments made to individuals who were the victims of a fraud operation in the United States. These amounted to £926,000 (€1.37m) and $754,000 (€591,245) respectively.
Meanwhile, the social welfare arm of CAB again sought to target those who profited from criminal enterprises while still claiming welfare assistance.
It calculated more than €330,000 had been paid to criminals in the form of unemployment assistance, one-parent supplement, disability allowance and child benefit, and CAB has so far recovered more than 90% of this.
One person who intimidated a social welfare bureau officer while an investigation was ongoing was sentenced to three months imprisonment after a case was brought before Dublin District Court.
Detective Superintendent and chief bureau officer Felix J McKenna said the report was evidence that CAB was doing its job.
“The bureau continued to pursue its statutory remit in 2005 by applying, wherever possible, the proceeds of crime, revenue, and social welfare legislation to suspected proceeds of criminal conduct.”
This year’s figures brings the total amount of taxes it has reclaimed since 1996 to €89m and in that time, it got possession of €24m of cash and property and obtained interim freezing orders on close to €59m of criminal assets.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
