Operation Ketch III is the third phase of an intelligence-led operation undertaken for the purpose of proactively targeting those living in the community who possess, import and distribute Child Abuse Material (Child Pornography) on the internet.
The objectives of Operation Ketch are to:
• identify child protection concerns at each premises searched and engage appropriately with Tusla, the Child & Family Agency and
• target persons suspected of possessing, importing and distributing online child abuse material (child related pornography).
The Operation is coordinated by the Online Child Exploitation Unit (OnCE) at the Garda National Protection Services Bureau (GNPSB), under the direction of Detective Chief Superintendent Declan Daly and was executed between 27th September 2018 and 1st October 2018.
Warrants to search, issued pursuant to the provisions of the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act, 1998, have been executed at a total of thirty two (32) premises, nationwide. The searches were undertaken by personnel attached to the Online Child Exploitation Unit, located at the Garda National Protective Services Bureau (GNPSB), assisted by personnel attached to Divisional Protection Service Unit (DPSUs) and local district detective units.
Searches have been carried out in a total of twelve (12) counties across the Country. The undertaking of a number of additional follow up searches, in the near future, is anticipated
Digital material, computers and mobile telephones have been seized in the course of the above-mentioned searches and will be subject of forensic examination. One of the searches targeted an individual who is suspect for selling and facilitating the online distribution of child sex dolls. This person was arrested at the relevant location and was subsequently detained before being released, pending an investigation file being prepared for forwarding to the the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Liaison is being maintained with, Tusla, the Child & Family Agency regarding any child protection concerns that arise.
By way of update, in the Course of the three phases of Operation Ketch undertaken to date, over one-hundred (100) suspects have been targeted. During February of this year, a total of thirty-eight (38) premises were searched in the course of the first phase of Operation Ketch. Five months later, in July 2018, in the course of the second phase of Operation Ketch, an additional thirty-five (35) premises were searched. This was the first occasion on which child sex dolls were seized during the course of searches undertaken by the Garda National Protective Services Bureau (GNPSB).
Detective Chief Superintendent Declan Daly, who heads the Garda National Protective Services Bureau stated, on the 2nd October 2018, "the Garda Síochána wishes to reassure the public, through operations such as Ketch and other ongoing work undertaken by the Online Child Exploitation Unit, at the Garda National Protective Services Bureau (GNPSB), that they will continue to relentlessly pursue those involved in the possession, importation and distribution of child abuse material and who pose a danger to children within our communities”.
Assistant Commissioner John O’Driscoll, who heads Special Crime Operations, stated, "the Garda Síochána places great importance on undertaking proactive initiatives that target those who use the Internet to exploit children online and who are involved in the downloading of child abuse material”.
The Assistant Commissioner further stated, "Protecting Children and vulnerable people within our communities is one of our highest priorities”.
He said, "The Garda Síochána will achieve this aim through initiatives such as the roll out of Divisional Protective Services Units in every Garda Síochána division throughout the country; four of which are currently operational and a further six of which, we intend, will be operational by the end of 2018”.
