Chief solicitor's office says civil servant suspended

The Chief State Solicitor's Office has confirmed that an employee has been suspended after being questioned by gardaí in connection with an investigation into the alleged abuse of a 14-year-old boy.

The civil servant was questioned by gardaí at his office last week. A Garda spokesman said he could not comment on the investigation except to say that two people had been arrested "and a number of people questioned" in relation to the investigation.

Between six and 12 men could be implicated in the abuse allegations, according to Garda sources. The allegations came to light when the boy's mother found some inappropriate text messages on his mobile phone.

It appears that a number of men had made contact with the boy after he visited a gay website.

Last week a former truck driver and a language teacher were arrested on suspicion of sexually assaulting a minor. They were interviewed under section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act and released without charge. A file is being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

A probationary garda in his early 20s has also been implicated in the investigation. He was contacted by gardaí after his phone number was identified on text messages sent to the boy.

He presented himself for questioning last week and was interviewed under caution. The garda was released without charge and suspended from duty.

Minister for Justice Michael McDowell told reporters yesterday that the civil servant had also been questioned by gardaí and was subsequently suspended.

"As I understand it, a member of the Chief State Solicitor's Office has been suspended as a result of being interviewed by members of An Garda Síochána.

"The Chief State Solicitor David O'Hagan has indicated to me that he has suspended an official on a without-prejudice basis."

Mr McDowell said he did not want to say any more "as it is unfair on that official for me to say these things, but I also understand from the Chief State Solicitor that . . . the official's duties had nothing to do whatsoever with these kind of offences".

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has described the case as "a disturbing and worrying" matter. It would be "of huge concern" if people in positions of trust were implicated in such allegations.