Gardaí investigating alleged Irish links to an Austrian-centred global child pornography ring have seized four computers following searches in the Dublin area, write Elaine Keoghand Conor Lally.
Gardaí believe they now know the identities of the two people living in the Republic identified by the Austrian authorities as having registered on the child pornography website.
They also believe they have recovered suspect material on at least one of the computers seized.
Concern had been expressed that the suspects would have had time to destroy evidence because gardaí overlooked the initial alert on the case from the Austrians via Interpol last August.
The Irish Timesunderstands a number of searches have taken place at two locations, one in north Co Dublin.
One of the suspects is a businessman based in that area. He is believed to be a married man with a family.
It is understood the suspects registered for a free trial of the website involved and were not required to give credit card details. The searches on their premises were conducted by members of the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
A Garda statement last night said the investigation was ongoing and, when completed, a file would be submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
"As the investigation is sensitive, no further details will be disclosed or discussed."
Gardaí were alerted earlier this month to the significance of intelligence already in their possession after the authorities in Austria made public a list of 77 countries in which child pornography images had been accessed.
Gardaí at first denied having received the transmission from the Austrians at Garda Headquarters in the Phoenix Park, but subsequently admitted the communication had been overlooked last August.
Austrian investigators said the Garda was the only European police force that did not reply when it was contacted in relation to the worldwide child pornography ring.
Chief Supt Derek Byrne of Pearse Street Garda station has been appointed to review the circumstances surrounding the embarrassing oversight.
Just over two weeks ago the Austrians supplied additional technical information which enabled officers to establish the identities and locations of suspects.