A Garda investigation has been launched into claims that a retired official in the Department of Education was at the centre of a paedophile ring.
The allegation was made by Fine Gael TD Mr Phil Hogan in the Dáil on Wednesday. He described the man as the "golden thread" weaving through a number of residential centres where children were tortured and forced to have sex with animals.
"I want to know what the Department of Education knows about all of this, and what they have done about it. At the very least, this man was guilty of gross incompetence, and, at the very worst, there is something dark and dirty being hidden from public view," Mr Hogan said.
The Department of Education today responded, confirming the Garda had been informed of the allegations. "The Department of Education and Science is treating the very grave allegations made in the Dáil on Wednesday night by Deputy Phil Hogan with the utmost concern," a short statement issued today said.
However, the Department said that while the Minister for Education, Dr Woods, "shares in society's revulsion at the truly awful crimes perpetrated by child abusers," he would not be making comment at this time for fear of prejudicing the investigation or subsequent legal proceedings.
Mr Hogan told the Dáil the man had been identified to the Laffoy Commission investigating allegations of sex abuse in State institutions.
The Carlow/Kilkenny TD said the former Department of Education official was responsible for investigating allegations of abuse made against a number of men working in residential centres in Kilkenny City; Cappoquin, Co Waterford; and Clonmel, Co Tipperary.