A PAEDOPHILE ring groomed and sexually abused a 14-year-old boy after he logged on to a gay internet chat room looking for friends, gardaí believe.A probationer garda — who first made contact with the boy — has been interviewed under caution by detectives.
Two other men, a lecturer and a truck driver, both with wives and children, have been arrested for allegedly abusing the minor.
Detectives believe these men, both aged in their 40s and living in Dublin city, were the main perpetrators of abuse.
Garda sources last night said they hoped to be in a position to issue a strong recommendation to the Director of Public Prosecutions that charges be brought against them.
Gardaí said it was possible that up to 10 men were involved in either abusing the child, attempting to meet him or grooming him.
Sources said there may be further arrests.
“We believe that contact was made over the internet, on a gay website,” said a garda source.
“This boy had questions about his own sexuality and made an anonymous message looking for people with similar interests.
“Following that, a contact was made back. These predators were waiting for an innocent person.”
It is understood that the 21-year-old garda first contacted the boy and may have passed on his details to other people. Another man is believed to have been the first to meet the boy in person and sexually abuse him.
Gardaí believe that information about the boy was passed on within what they said could be described as a paedophile ring.
“These are sinister characters sharing information with each other. There’s a degree of organisation and they operate in secrecy,” said a source.
“When they know a minor is involved in sexual activity they share that information.”
Detectives said the boy was not coerced into performing sexual acts, but stressed that as he is underage, consent did not arise.
“Force was not used, but that’s not an issue under the law as he is a minor. He does not have the authority to consent in law,” said a garda source.
Gardaí said the two men arrested over the weekend were “ordinary guys with families and children”.
One was described as a lecturer, rather than a teacher as reported yesterday. The other suspect is a truck driver.
Gardaí seized computers at their places of work and at home and confiscated their mobile phones.
The garda presented himself voluntarily for interview last Friday. Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy suspended him from duty on Monday.
By Cormac O’Keeffe, Irish Examiner
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