Website got more than 300 reports of online child abuse in 2014

More than 300 cases of online child abuse were confirmed last year by a website used to report illegal content on the internet.

Hotline.ie, a site that provides an anonymous facility for internet users to report suspected illegal content, received almost 5,000 complaints in 2014.

Last year, their analysts received 4,863 complaints, almost twice more than they got in 2013 and 335 of those were confirmed as CSAM cases, or Child Sexual Abuse Material.

Paul Durrant, Chief Executive of the Internet Service Providers Association of Ireland, said they work closely with Gardaí to find those responsible.

He said: "Every case that is illegal is notified to the Gardaí, so they can try to find the perpetrators."

Those caught producing or sharing this material will be punished according to the Minister for Justice, Frances Fitzgerald.

She said: "Sharing it in this way is a crime, an illegal activity, and the internet service providers and the Gardaí need to be informed."

Other forms of illegal content identified last year included financial scams, child grooming and material promoting violence.

Reporting could not be easier. If you come across something you think is illegal, just click on Hotline.ie.