Sex crimes committed by juveniles quadruple

The number of sex crimes committed by juveniles has almost quadrupled in the last four years, Garda figures show.

The sharp rise has again sparked concern among gardaí at the effect widespread access to hardcore pornography is having on some boys.

The 2012 report of the Garda Diversion Programme — which aims to keep children away from the courts — shows that while there had been a significant drop in offences committed by children under the age of 18, sex crimes have continued to increase.