Judge rules Audi car is proceeds of crime and can be seized

A car which the Criminal Assets Bureau alleged belonged to a member of a criminal gang has been held by the High Court to constitute the proceeds of crime.

The bureau sought orders over a 2015-registered Audi A3 which it claimed was owned by Patrick Reilly jnr, also known as Patrick O'Donoghue and Patrick Rubber O'Reilly, with an address at Brownswood, Enniscorthy Co Wexford.

The car has an estimated value of €25,000.

On Tuesday, Ms Justice Carmel Stewart said she was satisfied, based on evidence put before the court by the bureau, the car was the proceeds of crime.

After the car was seized in 2016 by the Garda Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, issues over its ownership were referred to CAB.

Mr Reill, who did not oppose the application, denied he owned the car and claimed it belonged to a member of his family.

The bureau said the Audi had been purchased by Mr Reilly at a garage in Co Carlow in exchange for cash and another vehicle a Ford Focus.

In her ruling, Ms Justice Stewart said there was no evidence before the court to support the respondent’s claim he did not own the car.

She noted evidence tendered on behalf of officers from CAB included that Mr Reilly had no income other than social welfare payments.

In all the circumstances, she said she was satisfied to make an order in respect of the vehicle under Section 3 of the 1996 Proceeds of Crime Act, declaring it proceeds of crime. She also appointed a receiver over the car.