Child abuse device backlog is the forces 'biggest issue' — Garda Commissioner says

Mr Harris told the Policing Authority there is a need to invest in personnel and strengthen partnerships between relevant agencies, both nationally and internationally. Picture: Colin Keegan/Collins Dublin

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has said that the most pressing issue for gardaí investigating child sexual abuse is the backlog in the examination of devices, and the volume of material.

He told the Policing Authority that an area of particular concern for him is the huge online demand for child abuse imagery, and the challenges posed to investigators by the encryption of data.