Late Garda assistant commissioner John O'Driscoll was ‘instrumental' in Irish efforts in international policing
Ms de Bolle, the Executive Director of Europol, last night received the inaugural John O'Driscoll award for International Cooperation.
"John embodied good, honest policing, and this award is a reflection of his professional achievements," she said.
"He laid the foundations for collaboration with Europol and with police forces in Europe and beyond to find to fight criminal groups.
"In fact, he was instrumental in setting up an international law enforcement coalition involving Europol, amongst other partners such as the USA and the United Arab Emirates.
"This coalition played a crucial role in dismantling this group and reducing their impact on society."
Ms de Bolle received the award at the opening day of the European Anti-Financial Crime Summit 2025, which involves 700 delegates from banking, fintech and regulatory authorities.
She was presented with award by Muriel O'Driscoll, wife of the late John O'Driscoll, and Jim O'Callaghan, the Minister for Justice.
Appointed assistant garda commissioner for special crime operations in 2016, John O'Driscoll played a key role in combatting became the Kinahan organised crime group. He served in An Garda Síochána for 41 years, retiring in 2022. He passed away in September 2024. He was survived by his wife Muriel and his three children; Michelle, Laura and Seán.
Ms O'Driscoll said: "Losing John so suddenly last September has been very difficult for us, but moments like tonight remind us that his spirit is still very much alive.
"He touched so many lives with his kindness, friendship, loyalty and dedication, and we as his family have seen that reflected in the generosity and support shown to us over the past few very difficult months.
"His legacy is one of dedication, resilience and an enduring commitment to justice.
"He leaves behind a profound impact on Irish law enforcement enforcement, and a lasting example of what it means to live a life of purpose.
"Catherine de Bolle, Europol Executive Director, is someone I know John would have respected deeply. Europol played a major role in many of the international investigations John led."
Mr O'Callaghan said John O'Driscoll played a leading role in Irish efforts to fight international crime groups.
"He was instrumental in efforts that led to our US partners offering substantial rewards for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the leaders of the Kinahan organised crime group," Mr O'Callaghan said.
"I think it is fair to say that without John O'Driscoll's work, Ireland would not have signed an extradition treaty with the United Arab Emirates last year. This puts more pressure on those who lead these groups and seek to profit from the misery of others by removing another haven where they believe they can evade justice."
He added: "This is one of John O'Driscoll enduring legacies, the building of a lasting network of cooperation with partners across borders to share intelligence, expertise and knowledge.
"It is a testament to John O'Driscoll that Ireland [is] in a better place now to dismantle these groups because of the cooperation and information sharing that John spearheaded."
The European Anti-Financial Crime Summit 2025 is organised by Dublin-based company AML Intelligence, the leading source of global regulatory intelligence on anti-financial crime and fraud for banks and fintechs.
John Berrigan, Ireland's most senior civil servant in the European Union, will also be honoured with an award at the event.
He will receive the AML Champion 2025 award from Eurogroup president and Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe.
Mr Berrigan is director general of the European Commission's financial services division, DG FISMA (Directorate-General for Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union). He played a leading role in the establishment of the EU's new Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA).
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It also has the assistance of the Serious Crime Review Team, aka the Cold Case unit, along with the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation. RESTRICTED AIRSPACE A temporary restricted airspace has been put in place by the Irish Aviation Authority over the search, banning drones from flying overhead. Advertisement Born on March 21, 1967, Annie was 26 years old at the time of her disappearance. Originally from 'There is fresh information in terms of what they are focusing on regarding what cropped up during the reviews of the case and developments with speaking to others too." An Irish Sun source As a teenager, Annie visited Ireland on a school trip and fell in love with the country and way of life. When she returned back to the US, she told her parents of her intention to return here to live. Advertisement She did and in the 1980s, she completed her third level studies at St Patrick's College, Drumcondra and at St Patrick's College, Maynooth before returning to New York in 1991. There she hit the books once more at Stoney Brook University, New York. DAY OF HER DISAPPERANCE She moved back to Dublin permanently on January 4, 1993, and settled into rental accommodation at St Catherine's Court, Sandymount, Dublin 4. On Friday, March 26 of that year, almost four months later, Annie spoke to her two other flatmates before they both headed off home for the weekend. Advertisement She made arrangements with other friends inviting them to her apartment for dinner the following day. But when they turned up that evening, she was not there. REPORT MADE On Sunday, March 28, her friends began to worry as they discovered she had not turned up to work all weekend. That evening, her pals discovered her groceries — that had been purchased by Annie on the Friday morning in Quinnsworth on Sandymount Road — had been left unpacked in shopping bags in her home. Advertisement A receipt confirmed the date and time of purchase as 26/03/1993 at 11.02am, and this is the last confirmed activity of Annie. She was reported missing by a friend at Irishtown Garda Station on the evening of Sunday, March 28, 1993. 'SHE WAS VERY RELIABLE' Tragically, Annie's mother Nancy had been due to meet up with her doting daughter on March 30 that year, just four days after the disappearance. Nancy travelled over but her intended holiday turned into a nightmare. Advertisement Speaking in 2023, Nancy, who is in her 80s now, said: 'She was funny. Yes, she was very reliable. "She was conscientious. She wasn't fearful. She couldn't find fault with Ireland. 'It makes a huge difference to hear her case has been upgraded to a murder investigation. 'A GRAVE TO VISIT' You never know, it might prompt someone to come forward after all these years. Advertisement 'As for justice or retribution, I have no interest in it at all. "My fondest wish would just be to find out what happened to her. To be able to have a grave to visit.' Gardai said that they will continue to keep the family of Annie fully updated in relation to the investigation and have been fully apprised of the developments. INFORMATION APPEAL A spokesman said: 'An Garda Siochana appeals to anyone with information, no matter how small or insignificant that they might believe it to be, to contact the investigation team. Advertisement 'Any information will be welcomed by the investigation team, and will be treated in the strictest confidence. The investigation team can be contacted at Irishtown Garda Station on 01 666 9600 or anyone who wishes to provide information confidentially should contact the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.' 5 After searches at the property in Clondalkin dogs are set to be brought in on fresh searches Credit: Garrett White - Commissioned by The Sun Dublin 5 Annie's family are being kept updated on the probe progress Credit: Garrett White - Commissioned by The Sun Dublin Advertisement
