Some commenters here have questions about the provenance of organisations like the Assets Recovery Agency, set up under Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 with powers to seek recovery of the proceeds of unlawful activity through the High Court. In other words a civil action. It has been involved in a series of high profile cross border operations, but this case today is their first such successful outcome taking it the full distance, through court, and then court of appeal. It ended in an agreement to settle. In effect the defendent, based in Co Monaghan, has agreed that his Northern Irish assests (restrained by means of a Mareva injunction) were gained through criminal activity.
Mick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Twitter: @MickFealty
