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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 13 Nov 2003

Vol. 574 No. 3

Written Answers. - Gangland Killings.

Tony Gregory

Ceist:

234 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the estimated number of criminal gangs operating in the Dublin area; the number of criminal gangs in the Dublin area against which the CAB has taken proceedings during 2002 and to date in 2003; and the number of persons involved in drug related crime against whom the CAB has taken proceedings during 2002 and to date in 2003. [26947/03]

I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the majority of criminal gangs in Dublin tend to be made up of criminals who are not affiliated to a particular gang but who operate on an ad hoc basis committing criminal offences with others who may be associated with one or more groupings as the opportunity for acquiring cash-property arises.

For this reason it is virtually impossible to be precise about the number of such gangs operating in the Dublin area. In making application to the High Court pursuant to the Proceeds of Crime Act 1996 the Criminal Assets Bureau relies on material arising from any known or suspected criminal activity. Accordingly, for operational reasons it is not appropriate to categorise proceedings as being linked to particular criminal gangs or drug dealing only.

However, the majority of applications to the courts under the proceeds of crime legislation during 2003 have in general been drug related. Additionally, the Criminal Assets Bureau continues to apply its Revenue powers under a statutory remit against persons involved in drug trafficking.

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