Child porn suspects 'identified'

Two people suspected of being involved in an international child pornography ring have been identified, gardaí said today.

Searches have been carried out at two premises and some evidence has been recovered.

The raids are linked to an Austrian police operation which earlier this month smashed a child sex abuse network involving 2,300 people in 77 countries.

Children from five to 14-years-old are said to be subjected to what officials described as “the worst sexual abuse” yet seen.

Although details about two Irish computer users suspected of links to the ring were sent to Garda headquarters last August, they were never acted upon.

Children's charities and opposition politicians rounded on the force for initially claiming they never received the information before admitting it slipped through the net.

“As a result of a Garda investigation the persons subject of the Austrian Interpol inquiry have been identified,” a Garda spokeswoman said today.

“Searches have been carried out at two premises and some evidence recovered.

“The investigation is ongoing and when completed a file will be submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions for further directions.”

Garda headquarters refused to confirm if any arrests were made or give any further details on the searches.