The lack of legislation to prosecute paedophile pornographers in the Republic is expected to be addressed at a conference in Cork this month, writes Jim Cusack.
The conference will consider the growing problem of child pornography, particularly by paedophiles who are communicating on the Internet and exchanging images, including many of children being raped.
Det Insp Robert McLachlan, the head of the Scotland Yard paedophile unit which has spearheaded much of the international investigation of paedophiles and child pornographers, is to address the conference on September 28th at University College, Cork.
Discussions on how to detect and prevent the abuse of children by paedophile pornographers will include contributions from Dr Geraldine Moane, UCD Ms Mary Crilly, of the Cork Rape Crisis Centre Dr Fred Lowe, of the Eastern Health Board and Mr Sean Lawless, from Focus on Children.
Under current legislation, it is not illegal to have pornographic images of children for personal use. Other countries, including Britain, have made the possession and distribution of such pornography, including electronic representations, a crime.