Minister Flanagan today welcomed the appointment by the Garda Commissioner of Chief Superintendent Mick Gubbins as Chief Bureau Officer in the Criminal Assets Bureau.
Chief Superintendent Gubbins will succeed Pat Clavin, who was recently appointed by the Policing Authority to the rank of Acting Assistant Commissioner.
Minister Flanagan said:
I would like to congratulate Chief Superintendent Gubbins on his appointment as Chief Bureau Officer in the Criminal Assets Bureau.
The CAB model is deservedly recognised as best practice in combatting organised crime and CAB has had tremendous since its inception in disrupting the activities of criminal gangs, by depriving them of their assets.
The leadership of this multi-agency body is critical. I know that Chief Superintendent Gubbins will bring extensive skill and experience to the position, including his time heading the National Cyber Crime Bureau, in order to ensure there is no let-up in CAB’s activities targeting assets which have been derived from criminal conduct.
Minister Flanagan added:
I must also sincerely thank Acting Assistant Commissioner Pat Clavin for his dedicated service in CAB over the past 4 years. His time in the position has included very significant successes in the fight against organised crime. He has in this way made a major contribution to the safety and wellbeing of the Irish public. I congratulate him on his promotion and wish him well in his new role as Acting Assistant Commissioner with responsibility for An Garda Síochána Governance and Accountability.
Minister Flanagan concluded by saying:
These appointments, as well as the recent appointment of Paula Hilman and Ann Marie Cagney to the rank of Assistance Commissioner, are adding further to the depth and breadth of expertise at the most senior levels in An Garda Síochána, at this time of significant change and reform in the organisation. I am confident that An Garda Síochána, under the leadership of the Commissioner and his senior management team, is well placed to continue to meet the challenge of addressing criminality and ensuring the protection and wellbeing of the public.
Notes for Editors
The Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) is a multi-agency statutory body established under the Criminal Assets Bureau Act 1996.
The Bureau’s remit is to target a person's assets, wherever situated, which derive, or are suspected to derive, directly or indirectly, from criminal conduct. Since its inception, the Bureau has been at the forefront of fighting organised crime in this jurisdiction and disrupting the activities of criminal gangs by depriving them of ill-gotten assets.
The Bureau is widely regarded as a best practice model in the context of combating organised crime. It works closely with law enforcement bodies at national and international levels to pursue the illicit proceeds of organised crime activity.
CAB's budget for 2020 has been increased to a total of €9.1 million.
The appointment of Paula Hilman marked the first time that a member of the PSNI has been appointed to the rank of Assistant Commissioner in An Garda Síochána.