Justice Minister Simon Harris has revealed that “good progress” has been made in the investigation into mob boss Daniel Kinahan.
Speaking to reporters at the annual conference of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors in Galway on Monday afternoon, Simon Harris indicated that investigations into the Kinahan cartel have significantly progressed.
Asked about the issue as we approach a year since Kinahan was hit with crippling US sanctions, Mr Harris said: “Well I’m very conscious of not commenting on specific and very ongoing and live garda investigations.
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“(But) I’m extraordinarily proud of the gardai and their work with international partners in relation to this and I’m very satisfied that good progress has been made.”
His comments come as we approach one year since gardai, the DEA and the United States Treasury Department announced sanctions against godfather Christy Kinahan and his sons Daniel and Christy Jr.
The US government also issued an unprecedented $15M reward for any information that would lead to the prosecution of the Kinahans.
Mobster Daniel Kinahan is said to still be holed up in Dubai - where gardai are now set to permanently install a Garda Superintendent.
The UAE also announced crippling sanctions against Kinahan and froze bank accounts in connection to him.
The Minister was also asked about his new proposals to grant the Criminal Assets Bureau new powers that will stop mobsters from launching non-stop legal battles against the seizure of their assets deemed to be the proceeds of crime.
The new law would prevent anyone from taking constant legal cases like mob boss John Gilligan did for 20 years. Asked by reporters about the new law, Minister Harris stated that he hoped to have it in place by next year.
“The general scheme will go to cabinet in June and I expect the legislation to be passed in 2024. So I think it will be something that will be legally in place by next year.
