"A SENIOR Government official has been questioned on suspicion of sharing horrific images in a paedophile ring.

The man, who holds a high-ranking position in a busy department, was arrested at his plush home outside Dublin yesterday morning. He was taken to a Garda station in the capital where last night he was still being quizzed in connection with the possession and distribution of thousands of sickening images of kids being abused.

Computer and other electronic equipment have also been seized as part of the huge probe run by the Garda National Protective Services Bureau and local detectives.

The Irish Sun can reveal that the suspect’s house was previously searched in 2015 by gardai investigating the suspected distribution of pornographic images featuring children.

A source said: “This man is from a very good background and holds a top position at a Government department which carries a lot of responsibility.

“The arrest shows that people from all walks of life have been suspected of involvement in this awful crime.”

The arrest is the first since Operation Ketch was launched in February to target perverts swapping vile photos and videos within secret networks. Acting on intelligence from the FBI and child exploitation centres in the US and Canada, gardai searched 31 properties across the country — recovering “tens of thousands” of abuse images from computers and phones.

Det Supt Declan Daly, who ran the crackdown under the command of Assistant Commissioner John O’Driscoll, urged people to remain vigilant.

He said: “This operation should serve as a stark warning to those who possess, distribute and produce such imagery — your homes will be searched, your sexual interest in children exposed, and ultimately it will result in possible conviction.”

Link https://www.thesun.ie/news/2518474/senior-government-official-arrested-and-questioned-on-suspicion-of-sharing-sick-child-abuse-images-in-a-paedophile-ring/