Gardaí and Tusla are investigating claims of an alleged paedophile ring targeting teenage girls in State care.
The young women had been living in residential homes or hostels for children taken into care by Tusla, the State’s child and family agency.
It is claimed a group targeted these youngsters and brought them to hotels to be sexually abused.
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It’s also alleged they were groomed and given alcohol and drugs before being abused.
The shocking claims, first reported
by the Irish Times, were brought to the attention of Tusla in 2020. Gardai were notified and a criminal investigation was launched.
It is alleged the girls were picked up in taxis, taken from their accommodation and brought to hotels across Dublin
city under the guise that a party was taking place.
It’s also claimed in some cases the young women were provided with gifts, such as expensive clothes, afterwards.
A Garda spokesperson confirmed an investigation into the alleged abuse
was ongoing, adding that “owing to the sensitivity of the matter there would be no further comment”.
In a statement, Tusla said the agency “does not comment on individual cases and/or investigations”.
A Tusla spokesperson said when young people were placed in a care setting, they had to be allowed a “similar level of free time/opportunities to do normal activities as children and young people (where appropriate) who live at home with their family”.
They added “as in any family home or care setting where young people are living, whilst boundaries and rules are set, there are potential risks in their everyday lives” such as exploitation or assault.
The spokesperson said Tusla was “always cognisant of the risk of exploitation of young people” and worked with gardai to develop a policy to help professionals spot children who might be vulnerable to being exploited.
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