The Criminal Assets Bureau has secured High Court orders allowing it seize approximately €146,000 from a Co Sligo family after finding the money represents the proceeds of crime.
Mr Justice Kevin Feeney made the orders against members of the Irwin family, originally from St Joseph’s Terrace, Sligo including brothers Patrick Irwin (29), who is serving a seven year prison sentence for drugs offences, and Hughie Irwin (34), believed to be residing outside the State.
CAB alleges the brothers are prominent members of a criminal gang operating in the north west.
The Bureau also secured orders relating to sums of cash in accounts held in the names of the Catherine and Michelle Irwin, sisters of Patrick and Hughie.
The orders were made after the court declared the monies represented the proceeds of crime. He also made orders directed the monies be paid in favour of the Minister for Public Expenditure and the Revenue Commissioners.
The court heard all of the parties involved had either withdrawn any claim to the various assets or had consented to the orders being made.
CAB previously secured orders freezing several assets and various bank accounts held by the Irwins. The assets included sums of cash totalling €106,000 held in several bank accounts, a Ford Transit van operating as an ice cream van, a pleasure boat, and a Toyota jeep.
CAB’s Chief Legal Officer Frank Cassidy was appointed receiver over the assets and has sold the vehicles for a total of €50,000.
A separate action where CAB is seeking possession of a house in Dromahair, Co Leitrim, allegedly jointly owned by Patrick Irwin and his girlfriend Avril Boland, was adjourned to next February.
The Bureau claims that property was paid for with the proceeds of crime and is seeking orders for possession of it but Ms Boland is contesting CAB’s application. That matter was due to proceed today but Ms Boland sought an adjournment to instruct a new legal team.
Sean Gillane SC, for CAB, said it was “very anxious” to bring the matter to a conclusion. Mr Justice Feeney said, while he would grant the adjournment, he intended to “bring the matter to a head.” The new hearing date in February was “all but immovable”, he warned.