A judge, a choirmaster and at least one school teacher were among dozens being investigated today after the biggest-ever Garda operation against child pornography yesterday.
Garda sources also indicated a solicitor, a barrister, a banker, a chief executive of a major company and a health board official were also among those whose homes were raided. The husband of a "high-profile Irish woman" is also belived to be under investigation.
Over 500 gardaí conducted raids at 90 addresses across the State yesterday and seized computers and components during "Operation Amethyst".
It is understood the Garda was supplied with the names of almost 100 suspected paedophiles, who were detected using child pornography sites under observation by the FBI over the past three years.
The Garda operation follows similar police operations across the world arising from the initial "Cybernet" investigation by the FBI into the trading in child pornography.
No arrests were made during the raids, which were mainly on private addresses, but files are being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions, who will decide if criminal charges should be brought. More raids are expected in coming weeks.
Computer equipment will be examined at the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation in Dublin. Credit card transactions will also be investigated.