The strategy for 2020–23 was drawn up under the leadership of Patrick Clavin, who has now handed over the role of chief bureau officer to Chief Superintendent Michael Gubbins.

Justice Minister Helen McEntee said: “Chief Superintendent Gubbins brings a wealth of relevant knowledge and experience from his previous roles in fighting cybercrime, money laundering and other serious criminal activities, and I look forward to him bringing his skills to bear on the important work of CAB.”

She added: “CAB’s mission is to ensure that crime does not pay, and it does this in a most meaningful way, by going after the assets of persons involved in, or suspected to be involved in, illegal activity.

“Under legislation introduced in 2016, the threshold for invoking the Proceeds of Crime Act reduced from €13,000 to €5,000, significantly extending CAB’s reach. Not only are CAB targeting the assets of higher-tier criminals, they are also having an impact by intervening early with mid-level criminals, with the aim of inhibiting their progression.”