The teenage girl at the centre of an investigation into the distribution of pornographic images via mobile camera phones has been identified, gardaí have confirmed.
In a brief statement yesterday, the Garda Press Office said investigating officers had identified "a number of days ago, the girl depicted in the images".
Warning media organisations not to identify the girl, the statement said the investigation was being carried out with the highest levels of sensitivity. "The gardaí have no intention of identifying either this girl or indeed the school she attends. Gardaí are aware that some elements of the media are taking steps to establish her identity which may be counter-productive to the investigation and detrimental to the welfare of this young girl."
The investigation began in Cork last Thursday following complaints to the force there. The picture is understood to depict the girl, wearing a school jumper and in a sexually explicit position.
Computer software was used to enhance the picture allowing gardaí to identify the school crest on the jumper worn by the girl. The focus of the investigation moved to Dublin when it became clear the crest may be that of a Dublin secondary school. Media reports yesterday said she was aged 14 and from north Dublin.
