Gardaí probe 18 human trafficking cases this year

Gardaí have so far identified six children who have been trafficked into Ireland to be sexually abused and exploited since the start of the year, according to the Department of Justice.

Prosecutions under human trafficking legislation have also been initiated in seven cases involving children.

The figures, released by the department in response to a parliamentary question, reveal gardaí have begun 18 “trafficking related investigations” involving 22 alleged victims in 2012.