Paramilitary bosses are being hit where it hurts most in the battle against dissident republicans. The Garda and the Republic's Revenue Commissioners have joined forces to crack down on the leaders of the Real IRA and their lavish lifestyles.
Real IRA man Liam Campbell, above right, was informed this week that he will have to give the taxman at least €1 million as part of a High Court judgment secured by the Garda's Criminal Assets Bureau (Cab).
The unit was established by the government in the wake of the 1996 murder of investigative journalist Veronica Guerin by a Dublin drugs gang.
Cab was designed to disable top criminals by targeting their assets, confiscating their homes, bank accounts and businesses – all funded by gangland activities.
Members of Cab, who have already reaped millions of euro for the exchequer, are now targeting dissident republicans who own large houses and expensive cars but whose legitimate income does not match their lifestyle.
A High Court judge ordered Liam Campbell to hand over €872,483 to the Revenue Commissioners but this figure is expected to rise to more than €1 million when costs and interest are taken into account.
The 41-year-old Dundalk man, who owns a small farm, is currently serving five years in Portlaoise Prison for membership of the Real IRA.
Campbell was suspected of serving as the Real IRA's second-in-command until the organisation split last autumn after a bitter row over its paramilitary activities.
Hardliners, led by Campbell, argued that the Real IRA should continue its campaign of violence while a second group, loyal to reputed leader Michael McKevitt, called for the organisation's army council to stand down.
Sources last night (Tuesday) confirmed that the latter group had become increasingly concerned that funds raised for paramilitary activities were being used to pay for the lavish lifestyle enjoyed by a handful of members.
They believed that Campbell and his cohorts only wanted to continue the campaign as a cover for their 'ordinary' criminal activities. The group is now watching with interest as Cab sets it sights on their former associates.
