Are you confident of establishing a link between Thomas 'Slab' Murphy and the purchase of properties in England?
"We are not commenting on that at this stage."
Why did the agency not directly say it was investigating Slab Murphy?
"We are in the middle of an investigation. This is a joint investigation and we have seized large quantities of material...We are examining that material to look at the underlying ownership of a large number of properties."
Can you confirm you are investigating Slab Murphy?
"We are not commenting on that at this stage."
If the agency fails to establish Slab Murphy accumulated his wealth through crime, what damage will it do to your reputation?
"That would be for others to judge. We are confident of what we said so far in relation to that investigation. We will pursue it thoroughly, as effectively and as quickly as we can."
Given the criticism levelled against the agency over its handling of the case, would you resign if no link to Slab Murphy is proven?
"We are a long way off that yet. Let's have a look at that in due course. I am very confident of the outcome of this investigation in due course in terms of recovering significant amounts of criminal assets."
Can you understand republican suspicions about the timing of the raids?
"I can understand there are suspicions about the timing of the raids, but I have said repeatedly my organisation has no part in politics – we are not interested in politics. Our job is to recover the proceeds of crime.
"All the decisions we have taken in this case are driven by operational requirements of the agency, nothing else."
How do you respond to claims of political bias levelled against you?
"We operate completely apolitical – there is no political influence on us. I have had extensive criticism from unionist politicians about an alleged bias against loyalists as well.
"It is part of the nature of politics of Northern Ireland. We don't let politics influence our operational decisions, full stop."
Is Slab Murphy's brother also under investigation?
"I can't comment directly on that."
What do you think of Slab Murphy's denial?
"We note the statement with interest."
Will there be more raids in connection with this case?
"I can't comment on that at this stage. We have seized literally hundreds upon thousands of documents. In some cases we have a filing cabinet full of documents.
"We have to go through that material as quickly as possible, analyse it and identify what further action we are going to take."
Does CAB or ARA plan to interview Slab Murphy?
"No comment at this stage."
Has his house been searched in connection with this investigation?
"Not to my knowledge."
How did television news reports know so much about the operation before the ARA released any information?
"I have no idea."
Statement in full from Thomas 'Slab' Murphy
There is absolutely no foundation to the allegations about me which have been carried in the media for some time and repeated at length over the past week. I have never conducted any business with the Craven Property group, nor have I any link with other businesses run by them.
It is distressing to myself and my family to see false allegations being made by anonymous staff in the Assets Recovery Agency (ARA) and repeated as fact in the media. I want to categorically state, for the record, that all of these allegations are totally untrue.
I believe that questions have to be asked as to why these raids were conducted in the full glare of the media and why my name was leaked in connection with this case.
My name has appeared on no ARA statement that I am aware of and no agency has been in contact with me in relation to any of this.
My solicitors are in contact with those concerned to ascertain why my name has been falsely linked to this case.
I do not own any property and, in fact, I had to sell my own home some years ago to cover legal fees following an unsuccessful libel case. Despite losing this case I take an attack on my reputation very seriously.
The premises depicted in the media is not in fact my home and I do not live at that address. I make a living from farming.
Those opposed to the peace process are obviously hoping that in vilifying me personally and republicanism in general they will scupper attempts to build peace. They will not succeed.
I have been a republican all my life and fully support the peace process. I will continue to play whatever role I can, to see it work.
