Dermot Ahern highlights Ireland’s role in international fight against crime
The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Dermot Ahern, T.D., today released details of Ireland's role in international co-operation in criminal investigations. The Minister said that, in 2009, his Department (which acts as the Central Authority for Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters) received 304 requests for legal assistance in criminal investigations/proceedings - an increase of 6% compared to 2008 - and sought assistance in 68 cases (an increase of 45%).
Ireland provided assistance in relation to investigations and proceedings concerning a wide range of serious offences including murder, rape, sexual assault, drug trafficking, money laundering and fraud. The countries which topped the list seeking assistance from Ireland were the United Kingdom, Spain, Germany and the Netherlands.
Assistance provided included the taking of evidence, carrying out searches and the interviewing of witnesses.
The Minister said: "These figures show the extent to which Ireland is providing and seeking assistance in relation to the international fight against crime. Ireland is committed to assisting the law enforcement and judicial authorities of other states and we will do everything within our power to provide assistance where it is sought."
Ireland sought assistance in relation to serious offences such as murder, rape, sexual assault, drug trafficking and fraud. The United Kingdom received most Irish requests followed by the United States and the Netherlands.
The figures do not include the service of judicial documents and requests for criminal records information.
24 May 2010
Central Authority for Mutual Assistance - Report of Activities 2009
1. INCOMING REQUESTS
2008 |
2009 |
|
287 |
304 |
+6% |
TOP TEN REQUESTING STATES |
PRINCIPAL CATEGORIES OF OFFENCES |
UK (97) |
Fraud (104) |
Spain (26) |
Road Transport/Road Traffic offences (89) |
Netherlands (25) |
Theft (41) |
Germany (24) |
Drug Trafficking (26) |
Turkey (20) |
Sexual Assault/Rape (24) |
Poland (18) |
Murder (23) |
France (16) |
Serious Assault (18) |
Lithuania (11) |
People trafficking (16) |
Slovakia (10) |
Money Laundering (15) |
Portugal (6) |
Terrorism (6) |
2. OUTGOING REQUESTS
2008 |
2009 |
|
47 |
68 |
+45% |
TOP 12 REQUESTED |
PRINCIPAL CATEGORIES OF OFFENCES |
UK (23) |
Murder (14) |
USA (7) |
Fraud (10) |
Netherlands (5) |
Theft (9) |
Spain (4) |
Drug Trafficking (6) |
Lithuania (3) |
Sexual Assault /Rape (7) |
Canada (3) |
Serious Assault (4) |
Belgium (3) |
Money Laundering (3) |
Romania (3) |
Tax Evasion (3) |
France (2) |
People Trafficking (3) |
Germany (2) |
Terrorism (2) |
Czech Republic (2) |
|
Poland (2) |