Garda raids show shocking extent of online child abuse

GARDAÍ have raided 31 addresses across the country as part of an international investigation into the possession and distribution of child abuse images.

Officers confirmed that video, images as well as sex dolls resembling children were seized during the raids in 15 counties between Monday and yesterday.

Children are living in some of the properties raided, it was confirmed but it is not believed that the images discovered in the raids included any Irish children.

Assistant Garda Commissioner John O’Driscoll said: ‘We are in contact with the Child and Family Agency. In all these cases there is a person in that residence with a sexual interest in children – and that is always a child safety concern whether there are children in that home or not.’

Gardaí also said that although there have been instances in Ireland where child sex dolls have been seized by customs, this is the first time these have been found in a home.

They labelled the latest discoveries as a cause for extreme concern.

Mr O’Driscoll said a total of seven suspects had already made admissions about their online activity.

The searches were carried out as part of the second phase of Operation Ketch, which targets suspects who have, import and distribute online child abuse material.

No arrests have been made linked to the latest search. Gardaí are examining the images and videos seized and they are conducting interviews with at least 31 people living in the searched properties.

While announcing the success of the Irish part of the international operation, Mr O’Driscoll explained: ‘What we can’t do is change the mindset of those who have a desire to engage in this activity. That’s a matter of considerable concern and one for society to address.

‘We enforce the law through these operations and we’re highlighting the extent to which this is taking place, and bringing those who commit crimes before the courts.

‘This is a growing phenomenon, it’s a challenge for law enforcement at international level and we seek assistance of everyone who has input, including private entities that supply services whereby imagery is accessed.’ He added: ‘There is a lot of profit being made off this and I’d like to see an effort to tackle how people are accessing these images.’

Garda personnel who are studying the imagery have been offered counselling and welfare services.

While all suspects in the second phase of the operation are male, gardaí said that generally the profile of those found in possession of child abuse images varies between male and female, and from teens to the elderly.

Detective Chief Superintendent Declan Daly vowed that gardaí will ‘relentlessly pursue’ those involved in the possession or distribution of child abuse images. ‘I think this serves as a timely reminder to those who are in possession of child pornography of the consequences of such possession,’ he said.

It is intended that further phases of Operation Ketch will be conducted throughout the year.

The first phase, which took place in February of this year, saw hundreds of thousands of child abuse images discovered during a raid of 38 properties, with 1,000 hours of child abuse video imagery discovered in one case.

Two of the suspects identified in the first phase were juveniles who have been referred to the Juvenile Diversion programme. A third suspect has been charged.

The investigation by the Online Child Exploitation Unit at the Garda’s Protective Services Bureau has been under way since last year.

‘This is a growing phenomenon’