Properties seized by the Criminal Assets Bureau could be handed over to Dublin City Council as social housing, according to one Councillor.
There are over 13,000 applicants on DCC's social housing lists according to the latest available figures.
And while it is unclear how many houses CAB have seized, Independent Councillor Mannix Flynn claims many have been lying dormant for years.
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A motion tabled by Cllr Flynn at a DCC sub-committee asking DCC enquire with CAB and the Justice Minister about the idea passed recently.
The motion requested DCC "call on CAB (Criminal Assets Bureau) and the Minister for Justice to give to DCC all houses that are seized by CAB to Dublin City Council Housing Department.
"Further, that any other properties or buildings that could be suitable for housing development be also handed over to DCC within the Dublin region."
Cllr Flynn added: "It is outrageous that former homes, once owned by DCC were later acquired privately, that have now been seized by CAB are lying idle and in an appalling state while many of our citizens remain on the housing list and in emergency accommodation."
The Council replied that they "would be happy to engage "with the Criminal Assets Bureau and the Minister for Justice on this matter".
The official did warn it may not be possible to bring every house into DCC's stock, saying: "I would caution however that a blanket approach may not be applicable as the circumstances and particulars for each case will vary and the City Council would not necessarily be privy to relevant background information."
The home of Kinahan gangster Liam Byrne, which was seized by CAB, went on sale in 2021 with an asking price of €400,000.
Number 2 Raleigh Square — a three-bed two-storey house with a garage — was confiscated by the CAB from Byrne (40) in 2019 as part of a major operation clamping down on his gang’s assets.
The former home was once valued at €1 million but most of the expensive fittings - which included a panic room and a Jacuzzi - were removed before the property was handed over to CAB.
Dublin Live have contacted gardai and the Department of Justice for comment.
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