Taskforce needed to investigate 'sham front Longford companies' used to launder money

A local elected representative has called for the establishment of a taskforce to investigate companies that may be used to launder money.

Cllr Seamus Butler took to social media to instigate action. “It's become apparent, in recent months, that a fresh clutch of sham front companies have been established in Longford. Behind these criminals are professionals, who are knowingly complicit in aiding and abetting the laundering of income from nefarious activities,” he said.

The Fianna Fáil elected representative said definitive action is required: “I am calling for a special task force, including Revenue and the Garda National Economic Fraud Bureau (GNEFB) to launch a specific investigation in Longford.”

“It should work hand in hand with CAB to put a stop to these criminals that are besmirching Longford and the vast majority of good honest, and tax compliant businesses providing employment throughout the County.”

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Speaking to the Leader, the former chair of the Longford Joint Policing Committee believes action must be taken: “There are a number of businesses established in the last nine months,” he said, “on the face of it they don't seem to be viable operations. One has to question why they are there.

“If there is a co-ordinated investigation by Revenue and the GNEFB they can find out what the businesses are generating in turnover,” Cllr Butler said.

In his role as chair of the Longford Joint Policing Committee, Cllr Butler was vocal in calling for an investigation by The Criminal Assets Bureau into local criminal activity: “That investigation was very successful. There have been over 30 raids since the autumn of 2019. They are going through the High Court at present.”

Cllr Butler says the time for action is now: “There is criminal activity in Longford, as there is in every county in Ireland. The war against criminality doesn't stop. This is just another phase of it, and one that warrants investigation.”

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