The office of the Data Protection Commissioner has confirmed that an investigation into anti-abortion "robo-calls" made to Irish homes late last year were made from an automated service based in the US.
However, due to the legality of the operation, officials there have said they will be unable to assist with the investigation, effectively bringing it to a close.
It also means the identity of whoever is behind it will likely remain unknown.
The pre-recorded calls were made to randomly selected Irish landlines last November and December.They claimed to quote medical professionals who said the life of the mother was never put at risk, even if it meant the death of an unborn child.
As a result, the office of the Data Protection Commissioner received about 370 formal complaints.
In a written response to those complainants, the office said it had traced the source to the US but would be unable to investigate further as the activity was perfectly legal.
Last night, a spokeswoman for the Data Protection Commissioner said while no further action could be taken, the lines had been closed down.
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