Mother and six others held over sexual abuse of young girl

Gardaí have arrested several people as part of an investigation into whether a mother of a young girl had allowed her to be sexually abused in exchange for payment.

Seven people were being questioned by gardaí in south Dublin yesterday following arrests made in both Dublin and Wexford.

It is understood the investigation was initiated after the child was taken into State care last year over concerns of neglect. Sources have indicated that following this, it became apparent there were serious issues when the girl was visited by her mother.

This led to an investigation in which it emerged the mother had allowed several people access to her over a five year period beginning when she was just four years of age.

Her alleged abusers are the same people being questioned by gardaí last night.

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.

Those in custody are two women in their 40s and five men aged between 19 and 47.