SINCE May last year, some 350 cases of suspicious financial activities had been notified to the Garda authorities, the Minister for Justice, Mrs Owen, has revealed.
At a news conference in Cork yesterday, where she officiated at the handing over of playground equipment manufactured in Dublin's Wheatfield Prison to Scoil Eanna, Montenotte, Mrs Owen said that the Garda had been in receipt of information from banks, building societies and other financial institutions.
While it was possible that "windfalls" had occurred in some of these cases, she went on, vigorous checks were being carried out. However, only after a criminal trial had been prosecuted successfully could confiscation of assets or property be considered.
Mrs Owen said while she was not aware of a story in yesterday's Sunday Times suggesting the newly established Crime Assets Bureau was seeking up to £7 million in back taxes from Mr John Gilligan - one of the suspects mentioned in connection with the murder last June of Dublin journalist Veronica Guerin - she was satisfied that the new bureau had "teeth" and that it would tip the balance in favour of the forces of law and order.
Mr Gilligan has claimed that his personal wealth, believed to be about £15 million, has been amassed through gambling.
Mrs Owen also emphasised that extradition of a suspect could only be sought where there was a definite case to answer in the State.
Asked if the historical differences between the State agencies involved in the fight against subversive and drug related crime had been resolved, Mrs Owen said she was satisfied that the Crime Assets Bureau was working efficiently.
"It must not be forgotten that we had the Criminal Justice Act of 1994, which also allowed us to seize assets in suspicious circumstances, and this has resulted in a number of seizures," she said.
The Customs, Garda and the Revenue Commissioners, she said, were working closely together and the new relationship formed between them had already made a difference.
Mrs Owen said that the new £36 million Garda computerisation package would give the force an edge in the fight against all types of crime. The investment by the Government, over a four year period, was a recognition of the fact that criminals were also availing of high technology and that like would have to be fought with like.
The new system would be of particular significance in the attempt to curtail drug dealing and money laundering. It would enable the remotest Garda stations to access a sophisticated data base. "It is vital that, if you take a case to court, you stand a good chance of winning it. You don't want to go into court if a case is likely to collapse," she added.