GARDAI investigating an alleged child neglect and sex abuse ring operating in County Limerick made 12 more arrests this Monday as part of the ongoing investigation.
The arrests were made following a number of searches and raids on addresses in the Mid West.
All 12 were detained in different Garda stations for questioning in connection with the discovery earlier this year of an alleged child sex abuse and exploitation case that is considered as one of the worst in the history of the State.
The Garda inquiry got under way last year when 16 children, ranging in age from 11 to an infant, were taken into care as victims of paedophilia and gross neglect.
Earlier this year, 11 arrests were made and it is understood that a number of those arrested on Monday had been previously questioned.
A senior source confirmed that those arrested on Monday are known to each other through either relationships or friendships.
The investigation also involved the analysis of smart phones, tablets and other electronic devices earlier this year. The Garda Computer Crime Unit used specialist software and analysis tools to uncover vital evidence that they believe will be critical to the investigation.
Throughout the summer months, the operation was extended as the investigation moved to the wider Munster region and beyond.
With possible links to the UK under the spotlight, State agencies and child protection services in both jurisdictions have expanded the scale of the operation as the recovery process for the abused children continues.
Along with this week’s arrests, Gardaí at the specialist Protection Services Unit in Limerick are continuing to prepare files for the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The 11 people, five men and six women, who were arrested last March ranged in age from 20 and 70. They were subsequently released without charge.
Gardaí first received information relating to the case during 2017 when several raids and arrests were made. It was later confirmed that there were 16 child victims associated with the case.
Both Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan and Children’s Minister Katherine Zappone were briefed on the case and on March 28, Minister Zappone commissioned a special inquiry after a whistleblower raised concerns over interaction between Tusla and the Gardaí.
Minister Zappone said that while there was no evidence of any serious mishandling of the case by either Tusla or the Gardaí, she considered that it would be good practice to arrange for a short, focused independent ‘serious Incident’ review of the actions taken in the case.
However, the ongoing delays in setting up the inquiry have been sharply criticised by Limerick TD Niall Collins as it emerged last week that the terms of reference have yet to be approved by the Attorney General.
Tusla secured a number of orders under the 1991 Childcare Act in respect of the case.
