The Criminal Assets Bureau is to link up with counterparts throughout Europe in an international crackdown on organised crime, the Government announced today.
The agency set up after the murders of reporter Veronica Guerin and Garda Jerry McCabe has the power to seize the bank accounts and properties of gangsters.
In a move to thwart underworld bosses using EU borders to evade the law the CAB is to formalise relations with similar agencies on the continent.
Tanaiste and Minister for Justice Michael McDowell believes the newly-formed alliance will help the Garda unit's fight against major crime bosses.
"Ireland enjoys a high regard in relation to the seizure of the proceeds of crime due to the creation of the CAB model and its many successes," he said. "This is one area where we can share best practice with our European partners.
"The exchange of information between Asset Recovery Offices is obviously crucial in combating transnational crime." The EU has drawn up a blue-print mapping out how asset recovery bodies in member states will pass each other vital information.
The Government has rubber-stamped the plans to build upon an already existing unofficial relationship between the agencies. The new arrangements will strengthen links established in the Camden Assets Recover Inter-Agency Network (CARIN).
Ireland, the UK, Austria, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands set up that embryonic alliance at a meeting in The Hague in 2004. The Dail and Seanad will be asked to back the cabinet's approval for the new strengthened network before the EU formally adopts it.
Garda Chief Supt John O'Mahoney heads up the CAB which also involves the Revenue Commissioners, Customs and the Department of Social, Community & Family Affairs. The bureau has profilers in every Garda division in the country and has targeted several high profile criminals over the past decade including Martin Cahill and John Gilligan.
PA