Cab recovered €14.9m from organised crime last year

The report, due to be brought before Cabinet by justice minister Jim O’Callaghan today, shows the Criminal Assets Bureau recovered €14.9 million in 2025 under proceeds of crime, Revenue and social welfare legislation.

Eighteen forfeited properties were sold during the year, generating almost €4.4m. They are understood to include a farmhouse, stables and 7.5-hectare site in Bodyke, Co Clare, seized from convicted criminal William McInerney, and a three-bedroom cottage in Co Longford formerly owned by convicted criminal Edward “Blondie” Stokes. Together, the two sales realised more than €250,000.

The bureau carried out 37 search operations involving 208 searches, including activity in three overseas jurisdictions, executed 232 warrants and opened 23 new proceeds of crime investigations.

It also made 16 High Court applications to freeze suspected criminal assets, while almost €3.5m was transferred to the minister for public expenditure under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Mr O’Callaghan said Cab had recovered €200m for the Exchequer since its establishment 30 years ago, describing the seizure of criminal assets as central to disrupting organised crime.