‘WE ALWAYS ACT WHEN A CHILD’S SAFETY IS AT STAKE’

TUSLA and An Garda Síochána say they act to safeguard the child whenever they receive any child protection concerns.

Both organisations were asked, in the wake of the Matthew Horan case last month, if they could reassure the public that they would act to remove a child from a parent or guardian who was sharing fantasies of them with a paedophile. Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard in January that the father of a nine-year-old girl shared fantasies about his daughter with predator Horan.

Tusla, the child and family agency, said in a statement: ‘All reports received by Tusla are screened in line with Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children. When Tusla receives a report of a child protection concern, [it] assesses the report and makes an appropriate intervention to safeguard the child.’

A Garda spokesman told the Mail: ‘Gardaí will fully enforce the legislation in the area of child pornography, which is covered by the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act, 1998. The safety of children is paramount and every step would be taken by the Garda, in consultation with Tusla, to ensure their wellbeing.’

Dubliner Horan, 26, was jailed for seven and a half years last month for coercing young girls into sending him sexually graphic pictures and videos of themselves

The Circuit Criminal Court heard that forensic experts found Skype conversations between Horan and the father of a nineyear-old girl who is currently under investigation.

In the conversations Horan and this man shared fantasies about the young girl.