Gardai probing online child exploitation have visited at least one property in Donegal.
While officers would not reveal the exact location of the search, properties in a total of 15 counties including Donegal were searched.
Officers searched 31 homes and worryingly involved the recovery of kid sex dolls.
The blitz, from Tuesday to Thursday of this week, was aimed at targeting suspects who possesses, import and distribute child abuse material.
Digital material was also nabbed as part of Operation Ketch II. Cops suspect they confiscated hundreds of thousands of child porn videos and images.
At least 31 people are being interviewed, ranging in age from teens to pensioners.
No arrests have been made, but nine people made admissions about suspected offences.
Detective Chief Supt Declan Daly said cops will ‘relentlessly pursue those involved’
Assistant Commissioner John O’Driscoll said this is the first time child sex dolls have been recovered at an Irish home.
He said: “It is an issue we have discussed in recent times with customs officials, because we are aware that they have been imported into the State. A number of them have been seized, maybe at points of entry to the State.
“But it is the first time we have come across one in a search of this nature.
“It is an added concern to what is already an area that gives rise to considerable concern, to say the least.”
The Assistant Commissioner added that the results of the raid highlight the problem of child abuse and that a lot of money is being made from it.
He added: “We enforce the law through these operations and we’re highlighting the extent to which this is taking place, and bringing those who commit crimes before the courts.
“This is a growing phenomenon, it’s a challenge for law enforcement at international level and we seek assistance of everyone who has input, including private entities that supply services whereby imagery is accessed.
“There is a lot of profit being made off this — I’d like to see an effort to tackle how people are accessing these images.”
