50% reduction in garda backlog of online case material 

Garda HQ said that 505 cases have been closed in 2023, a 53% increase on cases closed in 2021 (328). Picture: Julien Behal/PA

The garda backlog of child sexual abuse imagery and other material waiting to be examined has fallen by 50% in the last year — a reduction welcomed by child protection groups.

The waiting time to examine computers and other digital devices — which has taken up to three years in recent times — has long been a source of criticism by children’s organisations, oversight bodies, and the courts.