THE CRIMINAL ASSETS Bureau returned almost €7 million to the Exchequer last year.
Over €6.7 million was seized as the proceeds of criminal activity, social welfare overpayment and tax underpayment.
Here’s a breakdown of the money collected:
The Bureau also demanded €26.4 million worth of tax and interest, and sought eight High Court freezing orders totalling €2.8 million.
The figures were included in CAB’s 2013 Annual Report, which was released today.
Justice Minister informed the Dáil of the findings detailed in the 18th annual report.
Fitzgerald commended the Bureau’s staff on their “continued successes in targeting the illicit assets of those who seek to live off the ill-gotten gains of criminal activity”.
The minister said that the Government is committed to strengthening CAB’s powers as it provides “an invaluable service on behalf of the State”.
She added that the work of the Bureau is “internationally recognised as a best practice approach to tackling criminality and the illicit monies it generates”.
In the letter forwarding the report to acting Garda Commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan, the Bureau’s Detective Chief Superintendent Eugene Corcoran said that the organisation continued to receive “excellent support from members of the public”.
“This is demonstrated through the good working relationships with the Financial Institutions, Accountancy Bodies and the other regulatory agencies within the country as well as from direct liaison with the public.”
From its statutory inception in October 1996 to end of 2013, CAB demanded over €239 million in taxes and interest, recovering more than €144 million; made social welfare savings of over €7 million and recoveries of almost €3 million; and obtained interim freezing orders to the value of almost €72 million.
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