Six people released in abuse investigation

Five men and a woman have been released by gardaí investigating claims that the mother of a young girl allowed her to be sexually abused.

The six - arrested in Dublin and Wexford yesterday - were released without charge. A file is to be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

A woman, aged in her 40s, remains in custody in Dublin in connection with the case.

It is understood the investigation was initiated after the child was taken into State care last year over concerns of neglect.

Sources said that following this, it became apparent there were serious issues when the girl was visited by her mother.

It is understood that the mother allowed several people access to the girl over a number of years beginning when she was just four years of age.

Her mother, who is believed to have taken payment for the access often in the form of cigarettes and alcohol, was also in custody.

The abuse, which ranged from serious sexual assault to rape, is thought to have occurred in south Dublin.