Gardaí in Cork were continuing their investigation yesterday into the circulation of pornographic images of a schoolgirl among secondary school students using camera phones in Cork, Kerry and Limerick.
It is believed that the sexually explicit images show a girl in a school uniform and jumper with a school crest, who appears to be a minor. However, while initial reports suggested the girl might be a local teenager, a Garda spokeswoman said there is no indication at this stage who she might be.
Gardaí in Glanmire were called in after receiving complaints about the image, which is believed to have been circulated among hundreds of students in the south west. However, given the prevalence of camera phones throughout the country, it is thought unlikely the image is confined to these areas.
With the assistance of mobile telephone operators, gardaí are attempting to track the source of the image, the spokeswoman said. "It is an offence to possess such an image, let alone circulate it. I would suggest that anyone who has received this image on their phone should contact gardaí immediately."
The Garda investigation is taking place under the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act (1998). The maximum punishment for anyone found in possession of child pornography is £5,000 (€6,348) and/or five years' imprisonment. Anyone convicted for distributing such material, which includes forwarding any of the images, is liable to a fine and/or 14 years' imprisonment.
The Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell, will ask his officials to raise the distribution of pornography via picture mobile phones at a meeting of the Internet Advisory Board next week. Mr McDowell said: "Mobile connectivity to the Internet means there is a PC in everyone's pocket. There are implications I would like to consider. Officials from my Department will be bringing the whole issue up at the Internet Advisory Board meeting next week."
Ms Eleanor Petrie, president of the National Parents' Council, last night called on manufacturers to make the purchase of "pay-as-you go" phones as difficult as opening a bank account. There is a "real problem" with children using these types of phones, as there is little chance of tracing messages sent to or from them back to their original owners. "I would be saying to parents to use this as a great opportunity to talk to their kids about this," she said. "Point out the dangers to them, and make them aware that if they are found with these images, they are illegal."
A spokesman for the Children at Risk in Ireland charity called for the identity of the girl featured in the image to be discovered urgently. "Our work with children who have experienced sexual abuse in its many forms has taught us to be very aware of the long-term effects of involvement in this worrying trade."