CAB clampdown on Longford criminal gang

The move by CAB to seize property, including gold bars, cash and car as they target a Longford organised crime group has been hailed as an important victory in the fight against crime in the county.

“People won't be allowed to thrive and enjoy their ill-gotten gains and I think a lot of other people in that line of nefarious business will certainly be thinking twice,” Cllr Seamus Butler said of the CAB action.

Properties have been seized in three different counties as the Criminal Assets Bureau investigated the activities of a Longford Organised Crime Group (OCG) involved in the sale and supply of drugs, and serious feud related activity in Ireland.

A High Court application, under the Proceeds of Crime Acts, saw CAB take possession of assets in counties Kildare, Longford and Leitrim, as they dismantle the Longford crime group.
During their investigation, CAB established that these properties and other assets were funded by the proceeds of crime.

A property at Ardnacassa, Longford was seized and at this address, CAB also took possession of €25,325 in three bank accounts, €17,815 cash, a 191 Ford Focus, a double axle Tuffmac trailer and a trailer dolly.

A Louis Vuitton Popincourt tote and matching wallet, a Louis Vuitton Alma BB Vernis handbag and a pair of Christian Louboutin Decollete nude heels were also seized.
The High Court application saw a quantity surveyor appointed by the Bureau give evidence proving works completed at the Ardnacassa property, following its purchase in October 2015, cost in the region of €337,499.

The money used to build the refurbish and renovate the property were derived from criminality.
Substantial land and several outbuildings were also seized by CAB at three locations in Leitrim. A further action saw CAB take possession of a property at Ellistown, Kildare where €10,150 cash and gold bars to the value of €5,600, also deemed to be the proceeds of crime, were seized.

In the expert opinion of a court appointed Quantity Surveyor, the total cost of the subsequent renovation of the property purchased in 2014, would have been in the region of €64,364 plus VAT.
The money used to renovate the property are determined to have derived from the criminal conduct.

Cllr Butler said the actions of the law enforcement agency tasked with focusing on the illegally acquired assets of criminals are part of an ongoing operation: “In 2019 when I was chair of the Joint Policing Committee, one thing I called for at that time was for the CAB to come to Longford. Since that there's been over 30 raids and this is the denouement of one of those that was slowed down by COVID.”

The High Court action to permanently removal the confiscated property undermines the power of the criminal gangs: “It's sending out a message that people who thrive on ill-gotten gains will get their comeuppance and justice will be done and I hope this is just one of many to follow.”

Cllr Butler says the news will be welcomed locally: “A lot of people will feel a degree of satisfaction because if justice isn't seen to be done, then it's not done. In this case it certainly is.”
The properties seized will eventually be sold by private treaty or public auction and the money returned to the taxpayer through the Central Fund along with all other cash and money generated from the sale of the goods seized.

In the past twelve months, CAB has sold 24 properties, the highest number since the bureau was established in 1996.
The CAB actions come as a new Superintendent has been appointed to Longford Garda Station.
An Garda Síochána has announced that Superintendent Michael Dorrigan has been transferred to Longford Garda Station where he will have responsibility for the Community Engagement Area of the Mayo/ Roscommon/ Longford Garda Division

Supt Dorrigan, who was previously Detective Inspector in County Meath, was promoted to Roscommon Garda Station seven weeks ago.
Supt Dorrigan replaces Superintendent Seamus Boyle. Sup Boyle retired on July 5 after 38 years service in An Garda Síochána that saw the Bunlahy native rise through the ranks of An Garda Síochána.

Longford Inspector Frank Finn has also been promoted. He is now Superintendent at Castlerea Garda Station.
Superintendent Finn will have responsibility for the Crime Functional Area of the Mayo / Roscommon/ Longford Garda Division.