More than 1,430 criminals being targeted by the Criminal Assets Bureau

CAB boss says there are 580 local asset profilers working on identifying targets

The Criminal Assets Bureau, as of the end of February, had 1,430 targets it is examining.

More than 1,430 crime bosses and lieutenants across the country are being targeted by the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB), new figures show.

The Dublin West Garda division has by far the greatest number of targets (301), with Limerick claiming the third highest number of cases (105).

The three Cork divisions have a combined caseload of 45 targets.

Michael Gubbins, Chief Bureau Officer at the Criminal Assests Bureau. Photograph Moya Nolan

CAB boss Detective Chief Superintendent Mick Gubbins said there were now 580 local asset profilers, trained by the bureau, working on identifying targets in communities.

He said a further 50 are due to be trained next month.

In an interview with the Irish Examiner, he also said:

• Gangsters are using Revolut, the online banking system, to transfer significant amounts of money on a regular basis;
• Criminals are increasingly using other mobile phone apps and prepaid credit cards to spend their money as well as putting thousands of euro onto multiple department cards, gift vouchers, and various loyalty cards;
• Younger drug dealers are flaunting their “bling” — clothes, watches, and jewellery — online and “putting it into people’s faces”;
• Cocaine trade has encouraged more people to deal in drugs because of the big profits they can earn.

Chief Supt Gubbins said that since the bureau was established in 1996, over €174m has been taken from crime bosses by taxing their incomes and that over €37m has been handed over to the State from selling the proceeds of crime, such as houses, cars, and watches.

In addition, around €6.5m in social welfare payments have been taken back.

The bureau, as of the end of February, had 1,430 targets it is examining, including 653 in the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR), 762 outside of Dublin, and 15 living abroad but with assets here.

A divisional breakdown shows:

• DMR West — which includes Ballyfermot, Clondalkin, Finglas, and Blanchardstown — has by far the highest number of targets (301);
• The next highest is DMR South – which includes Tallaght, Crumlin, Drimnagh and Walkinstown – with 149 targets;
• Limerick has the third highest number of cases (105);
• The three Cork divisions have a total of 45 targets, including 26 in Cork City;
• The combined Clare/Tipperary division has 50 targets;
• Kerry has 35 targets and Waterford 15 targets;
• Kildare has 68 targets;
• Kilkenny/Carlow has 37 targets; 
• Wexford has 36 targets.

He said the local assets profilers were the “eyes and ears” of the bureau and nominate targets who display prominent wealth in communities believed to be derived from criminality.

Det Chief Supt Gubbins said it can be in the form of assets, such as house extensions and cars, or through an extravagant lifestyle, including expensive and regular holidays, “lavish weddings and christenings” and entertainment.

“With our people, cash is king,” he said. 

Around €6.5m in social welfare payments have been taken back. Picture: Mark Stedman

“They will use cash to buy their assets and fuel their lifestyle.” 

He added: “They spend to live and live to spend and when they get money they spend it now. They know this [money] is not forever, so they live for now.” 

Two hearings before the High Court this month each heard of more than €400,000 being paid on house extensions.

In one of the cases, involving Christopher Waldron, whose house was in Cabra, north Dublin, CAB seized seven watches from him, which, when sold at auction last December, received €72,000.

Det Chief Supt Gubbins said a host of pre-paid cards were being used to put proceeds of crime into for spending sprees and that new online financial and banking apps were also used by gangsters to spend and receive drug money.