CAB’s new €9million budget to take down top gangs
The Department of Justice yesterday released details of CAB’s new Strategic Plan for the next three years.
Earlier this week, convicted drug dealer Robert Redmond was dealt a hammer blow by a High Court ruling under which CAB can keep his high-end car, jewellery and designer clothes worth €136,000.
The crime-fighting agency is ‘busier than ever’ and the force is determined to ‘continue to hit criminals where it hurts most, their pocket’, according to a well-placed source.
In 2019 CAB allowed for €3.9million to be returned to the exchequer, with €65million of assets frozen.
In recent times, CAB has been targeting the Byrne organised crime group, burglary gangs and criminals embroiled in violent feuding in Longford.
CAB’s Strategic Plan outlines how there are 474 ‘asset targets profilers’ working across the country. These officers identify targets who lead lavish lifestyles through the proceeds of crime.
Chief Superintendent Michael Gubbins, whose background was in cybercrime, recently took over as the head of CAB.
He replaced now-acting Assistant Commissioner Pat Clavin, who is credited with transforming the Bureau.
Justice Minister Helen McEntee said yesterday: ‘This Strategic Plan represents a fitting handover from now-acting Assistant Commissioner Pat Clavin to Chief Superintendent Michael Gubbins.
‘Chief Superintendent Gubbins brings a wealth of relevant knowledge and experience from his previous roles in fighting cybercrime, money laundering and other serious criminal activities, and I look forward to him bringing his skills to bear on the important work of CAB.’
Under legislation introduced in 2016, the threshold for invoking the Proceeds of Crime Act was reduced from €13,000 to €5,000, significantly extending CAB’s reach.
‘Not only is CAB targeting the assets of higher-tier criminals, they are also having an impact by intervening early with midlevel criminals, with the aim of inhibiting their progression,’ the Minister added.
Fine Gael TD Neale Richmond welcomed the Strategic Plan and insisted the Bureau should target gang boss Daniel Kinahan among others.
‘This new Strategic Plan will be vital in bringing down Dublin’s gang lords. In recent months we have seen notorious gangland figures attempt to whitewash their criminal reputation by passing themselves off as legitimate businesspeople, including in international boxing. We need CAB now more than ever,’ he said.
Mr Richmond added that the increase in CAB’s budget to €9.1million is needed as gangs are becoming ‘more sophisticated’ in how they conceal their assets. ‘We will not stand idly by while criminals profit off the misfortune of others,’ he said.
‘Agency is now busier than ever’