A Donegal couple was ordered to hand back almost €90,000 after a Criminal Assets Bureau investigation uncovered a social welfare overpayment.
The case began after the Donegal Divisional Drugs Unit of the Gardai carried out a search which led to CAB opening an investigation into the couple.
During the investigation, CAB identified significant issues surrounding social welfare payments, with an overpayment of €88,511.60 assessed.
The full amount was subsequently repaid, it has been confirmed.
CAB also went to the High Court in relation to approximately €63,000 held in a financial institution by the same couple.
A Section 3 order was initially obtained, effectively freezing the funds and preventing them from being moved or dealt with while the matter was investigated.
A subsequent Section 4A consent order was secured, meaning the matter was resolved with the agreement of the parties rather than through a contested court hearing.
CAB said the case highlighted the importance of an interagency approach, with the Bureau working alongside other State agencies to fulfil its statutory remit.
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The case is included in CAB’s annual report.
Last year, the Bureau returned almost €15 million to the exchequer.
That included nearly €3.5 million from the priceeds of crime, just under €10.8m in revenue and €655,000 on social protection.
The Bureau conducted 37 search operations consisting of 208 individual searches in 16 counties and the work also included search operations in Spain.
“The high number of search operations is evidence of ongoing excellent cooperation between the Bureau, all Garda Divisions and international partners,” the report said.
The Bureau also successfully progressed and sold 18 properties during the year which resulted in gross sales of €4.377m.
Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly said: “For local communities, the removal of criminal assets has a significance beyond the monetary value.
“It removes the visible rewards of crime, weakens the influence on those who use wealth to intimidate or impress. The Bureau’s actions send an important message that criminality is not a legitimate route to status, power or success.”