Authorities in Ireland were first notified of the horrific abuse through an EU-wide investigation into paedophilia.
Europol are reported to have contacted the Garda Paedophile Investigations Unit after discovering disturbing footage of the abuse online. Investigating officers managed to track down the internet provider address of an uploaded video, and were able to trace it to the County Tipperary address.
A source has described the case as “the worst we’ve ever dealt with”, adding: “It involved the absolutely horrific treatment of a child.”
Gardaí made the rescue after the District Court granted an emergency care order last week, with investigating officers identifying the child through online footage and imagery.
After determining that there was an immediate risk to the little boy’s life, Gardaí took him from the house and have placed him into foster care.
The rescue is part of a large-scale investigation by Europol which has led to the collection of a staggering 240 bodies of material for its database, with the focus being the identification and rescue of young victims of abuse.
What an absolutely terrifying report. We hope that this child receives the care he so badly needs.
