The Chief Bureau Officer, Detective Chief Superintendent Michael Gubbins, this morning gave a media briefing, along with the Minister for Justice Heather Humphreys TD and the Commissioner of An Garda Síochána Drew Harris on the occasion of the establishment of the Criminal Assets Bureau, 25 years ago on this date – 15 October 1996. Also present were Secretary General Oonagh McPhillips of the Department of Justice, Secretary General John McKeon of the Department of Social Protection and Assistant Secretary General Lynda Slattery of the Office of the Revenue Commissioners.

The Bureau owes its many successes to the four agencies which comprise the Bureau; An Garda Síochána, the Department of Justice, the Office of the Revenue Commissioners (Taxes and Customs) and the Department of Social Protection.

We are also fortunate to be provided with solicitor services by the Criminal Assets Section of the Chief State Solicitor’s Office.

The Criminal Assets Bureau has, for the past 25 years, engaged in denying and depriving criminals of the proceeds of criminal conduct and with 1,851 targets currently on the books, you can look forward to the Bureau continuing to deny and deprive for the next 25 years.