Menu
25/11/2004
House sale ensures crime does not pay - Pearson
The home of a murdered loyalist paramilitary leader which was seized by the Assets Recovery Agency has been auctioned for £410,000.
The auction of Jim Johnston's house follows September’s High Court order to seize the cash and property assets worth more than £1 million from the former drug dealer.
Other properties which include seven additional houses in Northern Ireland, commercial premises in Belfast and a holiday home in Co Sligo will be disposed of over the coming months while the investment portfolio is currently being liquidated.
Johnston, 45, a member of the outlawed Red Hand Commando, was shot dead in the driveway of his home at Crawfordsburn during a loyalist feud in May 2003.
Commenting on the sale, Security Minister and Chair of the Organised Crime Task Force, Ian Pearson congratulated the Assets Recovery Agency for its “tenacity in its relentless pursuit of criminal assets”.
"The assets recovery process is complex and challenging and I am delighted to see the first assets to be seized and sold under the Proceeds of Crime Act is in Northern Ireland,” Mr Pearson said. “This is just the first stage in making sure that crime and terrorism does not pay.
"The sale of this house and the liquidation of aspects of the financial portfolio represents a new phase of permanently removing from criminals their ill gotten gains".
The Assets Recovery Agency, which began work last year, is modelled on the Republic of Ireland's Criminal Assets Bureau, which was set up in 1996 after the murder of journalist Veronica Guerin.
(MB/SP)
The auction of Jim Johnston's house follows September’s High Court order to seize the cash and property assets worth more than £1 million from the former drug dealer.
Other properties which include seven additional houses in Northern Ireland, commercial premises in Belfast and a holiday home in Co Sligo will be disposed of over the coming months while the investment portfolio is currently being liquidated.
Johnston, 45, a member of the outlawed Red Hand Commando, was shot dead in the driveway of his home at Crawfordsburn during a loyalist feud in May 2003.
Commenting on the sale, Security Minister and Chair of the Organised Crime Task Force, Ian Pearson congratulated the Assets Recovery Agency for its “tenacity in its relentless pursuit of criminal assets”.
"The assets recovery process is complex and challenging and I am delighted to see the first assets to be seized and sold under the Proceeds of Crime Act is in Northern Ireland,” Mr Pearson said. “This is just the first stage in making sure that crime and terrorism does not pay.
"The sale of this house and the liquidation of aspects of the financial portfolio represents a new phase of permanently removing from criminals their ill gotten gains".
The Assets Recovery Agency, which began work last year, is modelled on the Republic of Ireland's Criminal Assets Bureau, which was set up in 1996 after the murder of journalist Veronica Guerin.
(MB/SP)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
29 January 2003
Community must 'play its part' in tackling organised crime
NIO Minister Des Browne has urged the public to "play their part" in tackling the scourge of organised crime. Mr Browne made his comments at a meeting of local business people and elected representatives in Ballymena as part of an awareness evening organised by The Organised Crime Task Force.
Community must 'play its part' in tackling organised crime
NIO Minister Des Browne has urged the public to "play their part" in tackling the scourge of organised crime. Mr Browne made his comments at a meeting of local business people and elected representatives in Ballymena as part of an awareness evening organised by The Organised Crime Task Force.
10 September 2003
Agency freezes £1.5m in criminal assets
Over £1.5 million worth of assets belonging to a murdered loyalist have been frozen by the Assets Recovery Agency (ARA), Security Minister Jane Kennedy announced today. A receiver has been appointed to take control of, and manage the assets of, dead loyalist Jim Johnston, who was shot dead at his Co Down home in May.
Agency freezes £1.5m in criminal assets
Over £1.5 million worth of assets belonging to a murdered loyalist have been frozen by the Assets Recovery Agency (ARA), Security Minister Jane Kennedy announced today. A receiver has been appointed to take control of, and manage the assets of, dead loyalist Jim Johnston, who was shot dead at his Co Down home in May.
27 August 2021
Funding Available For Community Crime Prevention Groups
The Department of Justice is inviting applications for the Assets Recovery Community Scheme for funding aimed at preventing crime. Voluntary and community sector organisations, registered charities, and statutory bodies delivering projects in community settings in Northern Ireland are all eligible to apply for the funding.
Funding Available For Community Crime Prevention Groups
The Department of Justice is inviting applications for the Assets Recovery Community Scheme for funding aimed at preventing crime. Voluntary and community sector organisations, registered charities, and statutory bodies delivering projects in community settings in Northern Ireland are all eligible to apply for the funding.
08 August 2022
New Funding Available To Help Prevent Crime
Justice Minister Naomi Long has announced the launch of a new application period for funding aimed at preventing crime. The fund is available for voluntary and community sector organisations, registered charities, and statutory bodies delivering projects in community settings in Northern Ireland.
New Funding Available To Help Prevent Crime
Justice Minister Naomi Long has announced the launch of a new application period for funding aimed at preventing crime. The fund is available for voluntary and community sector organisations, registered charities, and statutory bodies delivering projects in community settings in Northern Ireland.
06 August 2018
Recovered Criminal Assets To Benefit Voluntary And Community Projects
Some £700,000 is being made available to voluntary and community sector organisations from funds recovered in criminal assets seizures, the Department of Justice has announced. Inviting applications for funding, the Department said the the funding would help in crime prevention or help reduce the fear of crime in the community.
Recovered Criminal Assets To Benefit Voluntary And Community Projects
Some £700,000 is being made available to voluntary and community sector organisations from funds recovered in criminal assets seizures, the Department of Justice has announced. Inviting applications for funding, the Department said the the funding would help in crime prevention or help reduce the fear of crime in the community.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
