‘THE MOST EVIL PAEDOPHILE RING WE’VE EVER SEEN’
11 members of a family arrested over alleged abuse of 15 children
A TOTAL of 11 members of one extended family have been arrested as part of a major Garda investigation into an alleged paedophile ring.
Three generations, ranging in age from their 20s up to their 70s, were arrested yesterday over what was described as the most ‘sadistic paedophile ring ever known in Ireland’.
The investigation centres around the alleged sexual exploitation of about 15 children who are all related to those arrested and range in age from newborn to 12 years. Gardaí are investigating if strangers were allowed to abuse the
children over a number of years, it is understood. The paedophile ring was allegedly operating in the Newcastle West district in Co. Limerick, it is understood.
Senior gardaí last night said that the raids and arrests were the culmination of an investigation that has been under way for at least nine months.
‘This is only the tip of the iceberg. This most likely will be the most sadistic paedophile ring ever known in Ireland,’ a source told the Irish Daily Mail last night.
The 11 arrested are all
‘Only the tip of the iceberg’
members of the same extended family and they were detained following raids on homes in counties Limerick, Tipperary and Kerry yesterday.
Gardaí said details emerging about the alleged sex abuse and exploitation of the victims were ‘horrific’.
They said the abusers appeared to have been operating as an part of an organised ring and seemed to be known to each other.
Childcare services have been alerted about the alleged abuse. They were informed last night about the arrests.
The operation was carried out in conjunction with the Limerick Divisional Protective Services Unit. The unit has been overseeing this investigation for a number of months.
Gardaí said the inquiry is separate from others into suspected abuse of children online and that, at this point, there is no international dimension to their investigation.
They 11 arrested were being held last night at Garda stations in Limerick, Cork and Clare under section four of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.
This means those arrested can be held without charge for up to 24 hours, excluding rest periods.
The Garda operation included gardaí from Newcastle West, Bruff, Henry Street, Mayorstone and Roxboro Road stations, all in Co. Limerick, as well as the Limerick divisional protective services unit.
‘All 11 [suspects] were arrested in Limerick, Tipperary and Kerry and are detained at various Garda Stations in Limerick, Cork and Clare under the provisions of section 4 [of the] Criminal Justice Act 1984,’ a Garda statement said.
However officers remained tight-lipped about the planned operation which resulted in yesterday’s arrests with sources describing the investigation as ‘very sensitive’.
Anyone who is affected by this story can contact Childline which is available 24 hours a day by phone on 1800 66 66 66 and between 10am and 4am by text to 50101 or at webchat on childline.ie.