THE redirection of money seized by the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) to communities affected by crime should include areas of Limerick that have been impacted most by organised criminal gangs.
That’s according to Limerick Sinn Féin TD Maurice Quinlivan who said it was a ‘no-brainer’ to use some of the money to help communities build resilience and stop the next generation of young people becoming attracted to the criminal lifestyle.
“As an initial step, €2 million of the money seized by CAB is being redirected back into communities under the terms of the Proceeds of Crime (Investment in Disadvantaged Communities) Bill 2021 proposed by Sinn Féin TD Mark Ward and passed at second stage in the Oireachtas.
“While the confirmation does not yet include the return of money to Limerick communities, I am confident that the next batch of an estimated €3 million will include Limerick,” Deputy Quinlivan said.
“Communities in Limerick have been deeply impacted by gangs that have accumulated and demonstrated ill-gotten wealth and I look forward to the reinvestment of such ill gotten gains into valuable community projects and groups.
“Sinn Féin has always advocated that any money seized by CAB be ring-fenced and put back into communities to tackle disadvantage and to fund prevention, treatment and rehabilitation services in the fight against drugs.
“This fund should also be used for local sports clubs, youth clubs, employment centres, universities and other valuable services in our communities.
“While the Government’s Community Safety Innovation Fund is a positive move forward, it does not go far enough. The Minister must ensure that it goes into community groups who are on the front line of keeping our young people away from crime.
“Too many communities in Limerick have been held back by the merchants of misery. More must be done to support the vast majority of families who are hardworking and law abiding. It does not happen by accident that most of the money seized by CAB originates in areas that are highly disadvantaged.
“I am calling on the Government to ring-fence the money seized by CAB and to ensure it is invested back into the areas most affected by crime,” Deputy Quinlivan added.
