By AML Intelligence Correspondents
EUROPOL boss Catherine de Bolle has received the inaugural John O’Driscoll Memorial Award in honour of her work combatting financial crime.
Ms de Bolle, the Executive Director of Europol, received the award at ‘Day Zero’ of the European Anti-Financial Crime Summit 2025. The summit, which involved 700 delegates from banking, fintech and regulatory authorities, was held in the RDS on May 7.
The award was established to honour the late Garda Assistant Commissioner John O’Driscoll, who played a crucial role in taking down organised crime groups.
Ms de Bolle was presented with the award by Muriel O’Driscoll, wife of the late John O’Driscoll, and Jim O’Callaghan, the Minister for Justice.
“John embodied good, honest policing, and this award is a reflection of his professional achievements,” Ms de Bolle said.
“He laid the foundations for collaboration with Europol and with police forces in Europe and beyond, 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.”
Appointed assistant garda commissioner for special crime operations in 2016, John O’Driscoll played a key role in combatting 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, his three children; Michelle, Laura and Seán, his sister Marguerite and brothers Brian, Mick and Donal.
Ms O’Driscoll said: “Losing John so suddenly last September has been very difficult for us, but moments like [these] 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, and a lasting example of what it means to live a life of purpose.
“Catherine de Bolle 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 organized crime group,” Mr O’Callaghan said.
“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 by removing another haven where they believe they can evade justice.”
He added: “This is one of John O’ Driscoll’s enduring legacies – the building of a lasting network of cooperation with partners across borders to share intelligence, expertise and knowledge.
“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, was also honoured with an award at the event.
He received 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).
We hope you enjoyed reading this article
If you would like unlimited access to AML Intelligence premium articles, newsletter delivered twice a week, access to our Global Bank Fines and Penalties database, free access to Boardroom Series events and much more, select one of our subscription options and become a subscriber!
