Ministers take on board Councillor Paddy McQuillan’s suggestion
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee and Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Michael McGrath have agreed to a proposal, first mooted by Councillor Paddy McQuillan a year ago, to use money seized from criminal gangs to provide extra funding for community projects.
Minister McEntee said: “An Garda Síochána and the Criminal Assets Bureau have had significant success in recent years in hitting the criminal gangs who seek to spread misery in our communities where it hurts – by seizing their cash and assets.
“They are taking the fight to the gangs, but communities around Ireland are also doing vital work in ensuring crime does not take hold in their areas and amongst their young.
“My Justice Plan 2021 committed to breaking the link between the gangs and our vulnerable young people, and to strengthening community safety.
“The Community Safety Innovation Fund established by Minister McGrath and I will reflect the success of An Garda Síochána and the Criminal Assets Bureau in seizing the proceeds of crime and will fund projects communities themselves know will help in improving their safety.
“The fund will encourage and recognise the efforts of local communities on the ground based on their local experience and unique perspectives. Successful projects can then be shared across the country.”
Minister McGrath said: “I am pleased to have worked with my colleague the Minister for Justice to develop this proposal whereby a Community Safety Innovation Fund will be established to allow Local Community Safety Partnerships to apply for financial support for measures to protect their community.
“The allocation to this Fund will have regard to the success to date of the authorities in depriving criminal gangs of cash and other proceeds of crime and in so doing will contribute to a safer community for all.”
Independent Drogheda Councillor Paddy McQuillan who first suggested that money seized from criminals should be used to further fund the work of community organisations involved with the drug rehabilitation and youth work, said that he was delighted with today’s announcement.
“I’ve been pushing for this for well over a year” he said. “I first suggested it at a JPC meeting and then I wrote to every Independent Councillor in the country asking them to propose it at their own Council meetings.
“The proceeds of crime should be used to help the work of organisations such as the Red Door and The Family Addiction Support Network and of course the Boyne and Cable Youth Projects who are on the frontline dealing with the fallout of the drug gangs. I would like to thank Minister McEntee for her support for this initiative”
Councillor James Byrne also welcomed today’s announcement, he said the initiative will be of enormous benefit to Drogheda.
“Any allocation of funds to the town should go some way in supporting efforts to implement the recommendations of the Geiran Report. I must acknowledge the contributions of Cllr Paddy McQuillan in pushing this for Drogheda.”
See our previous article:
