New Garda unit to focus on sex crimes and human trafficking

A NEW, dedicated unit to investigate sexual crimes, child abuse, domestic violence and human trafficking in Kerry is to be set up in Tralee Garda Station.

The Divisional Protection Services Unit will be staffed by specially trained gardaí to investigate serious crimes.

The unit will be undertake a victim-centred approach to investigating sexual and domestic violence incidents and will include the investigation of the most serious cases of this type of crime.

The unit will be responsible for investigating sexual crimes against adults and children – including online abuse.

Four divisional protective service units (DPSU) have already been set up in Dublin and Cork and more units will be rolled out across the country this year, including in Kerry.

A special presentation was given by Supt Declan Daly to gardaí and councillors at this month’s Joint Policing Committee meeting on the unit, which is seen as a very positive step for the county. Chief Supt Tom Myers has requested that the Kerry unit be set up as soon as possible and his request will be passed to the Garda Commissioner.

Supt Daly said the unit will focus on online exploitation of children which is a key issue for gardaí.

“We have an issue in this country of children posting explicit images online. These 13 and 14 year olds believe that they are sending an image to a boy but it can be released online,” he said. “Education and awareness is the most important thing. Children need to be forewarned.”