A file is to be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions following the release last night of a prominent former politician who had been questioned in relation to money laundering. Gardai released the former politician at about 11 p.m., after he had spent 36 hours in custody, and a Garda spokesman confirmed that a file will now be sent to the DPP's office. I may seek approval from a judge today to extend the detention period of a former prominent politician being questioned in Dublin by detectives investigating money laundering.
The man, a one-time junior minister who left politics some years ago, was being held under drug-trafficking legislation which allows for detention of up to seven days without charge.
He was arrested on Tuesday morning and has been questioned since by gardai from the Criminal Assets Bureau, the central agency established by the Government last year to track criminals' wealth.
A Garda chief superintendent yesterday extended the detention period for the second time since the man's arrest. Under the Criminal Justice Drug Trafficking Act 1996, further detention from this morning would have required the approval of a district or circuit court judge.
The former politician is believed to have come to the attention of the gardai and Revenue officials working at the bureau during their investigation of financial transactions involving one of the city's major drug dealers, who is currently in hiding abroad.
The bureau has been investigating attempts by criminals to launder their wealth through legitimate businesses, such as public houses, and by buying large numbers of apartments in the city.
According to the Garda, several million pounds have been invested by one drug gang in this way. One area on which the investigations have focused is the dealings between criminals and their professional advisers.
The bureau has the power to seize assets suspected of being proceeds of crime or demand tax payments from the owners.