Mr Michael McDowell Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform today praised the progress of Garda investigations into recent robberies of cash in transit and their successes in tackling money laundering.
Speaking at the Graduation Ceremony in the Garda College, Templemore, he said that cash in transit companies and the banks must, "match the professionalism of An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces in dealing with the safe transit of cash."
He placed the blame for the robberies with the gangs and subversive organisations which carry them out. "At the same time," he added, "all those involved in the transit of cash must shoulder their responsibility to ensure that all possible steps are taken to prevent these robberies."
Mr McDowell also pointed out that money laundering "is the fuel of serious and organised crime," and recommended that efforts be focused in this area.
Money laundering is "not just as a serious crime in itself but is a prime means of enabling criminals to benefit from their activities and of facilitating further serious crime," he added.
Mr McDowell also recognised the difficulties associated with detecting such crimes, "law makers and the law enforcers need to be alive to the detection of new schemes and techniques as they are developed," and he praised the Garda on, "on recent successes in this area."
A recent An Garda Síochána recruitment drive saw 10,500 applications which, said Mr McDowell, "is proof of the high esteem in which An Garda Síochána is held by the Irish people." Extra recruitment will mean an organisational strength for the force of 14,000 as early as the end of next year.