24/03/2006

High Court freezes County Antrim couple's assets

The Assets Recovery Agency (ARA) has had the assets of a County Antrim Couple frozen by the High Court, in the first property freezing order ever to be issued in Northern Ireland.

Darryl Price and Sarah Ward have had an estimated total of around £175,000 frozen, as well as their home in Primrose Gardens in Portrush.

It is understood that the Agency has also seized two cars, a truck and a number of bank accounts belonging to the couple, totalling around £100,000.

The ARA has alleged that Mr Price obtained property through drug trafficking and benefit fraud, and was reported to the Agency after a general disparity between his expenditure and his legitimate declared income, was noticed.

It has also been stated that Ms Ward was also involved in benefit fraud, and is understood to have purchased a car whilst claiming benefit.

ARA Assistant Director, Alan McQuillan today said that the case was referred to the Agency by the PSNI and they are seeking information directly from the public in relation to this case.

Mr McQuillan added that notices will appear in local newspapers next week requesting information from anyone who has any information or knowledge involving Mr Price or Ms Ward's income, expenditure, or property holdings here or abroad, to contact them.

(EF/SP)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

06 October 2005
IRA linked to £30m property seizure
Around 250 properties worth an estimated £30 million have been seized by the Assets Recovery Agency (ARA) in Manchester. Speculation is linking the seizure to the IRA following investigations into the business and financial affairs of Thomas "Slab" Murphy, an alleged leading member of the Provisional organisation.
12 October 2007
ARA Rejects Criticism
The Assets Recovery Agency's performance has been strongly defended following criticism from the Public Accounts Committee. It's report criticised the agency for focusing on recovering assets by court action, rather than negotiating settlements.
24 March 2005
Assets Recovery Agency seize almost £5m
Nearly £5 million worth of assets have been seized from a man who is alleged to be a loyalist paramilitary. The Assets Recovery Agency (ARA) was granted an Interim Receiving Order at the High Court in Belfast last week for assets owned by Colin Robert Armstrong and his partner Geraldine Enda Mallon of Tullynewbank Road in Glenavy.
16 December 2004
Pearson welcomes latest Assets Recovery success
Security Minister and Chair of the Organised Crime Task Force (OCTF) Ian Pearson has praised the latest success of Assets Recovery Agency (ARA) after the assets of alleged alcohol smugglers were seized yesterday.
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.