€5.3m seized by CAB should be used to help communities, says Ward

Sinn Féin TD for Dublin Mid-West, Mark Ward has called on the Government to ring fence the money seized by Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) to help build community resilience to crime.

The call comes after earlier this week, CAB announced €5.3 million were returned to the exchequer.

Deputy Ward said: “I welcome the news this week that CAB seized over €5 million from criminals.

“However, I am calling on the Government not to miss this opportunity to ring fence this money and reinvest it directly back into the communities most affected by crime.

“Earlier this year I had the “Proceeds of Crime Bill” pass second stage in the Dail.

“This bill is waiting to be heard at committee stage now for pre-legislative scrutiny.

“I am calling on the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to ring fence this money and not to miss an opportunity to invest it to rebuild our community’s resilience,” he said.

Deputy Ward said that if the Governemnt area serious about using the money to help communities affected by crime, “they will progress this legislation and support its progress through the Dail.

“The €5 million returned to the exchequer would make a huge difference to drug task forces, sports clubs, employment centres, youth groups and all services who are at the forefront of combatting the impacts of crime in our communities.”