A major investigation is underway today after a pornographic image of a schoolgirl was circulated to hundreds of mobile phones in Cork, Limerick and Kerry.
It is believed the girl is Irish, and the investigation is focusing on identifying her using the logo on her school uniform, although it has been acknowledged that the image could have been digitally altered.
The investigation began last Friday when gardai in Glanmire, Cork, received a complaint that an image was being circulated of a local schoolgirl.
They spoke to the girl in question and her parents, but concluded that she was not the girl in the image.
They are continuing to investigate reports that the picture originated in Cork.
Gardai have warned that anybody found knowingly in possession of the image is committing an offence under the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act, which carries a maximum jail sentence of five years.
Distribution of the picture could result in a 14-year jail term, they said.
Both Fine Gael and the Labour Party today called on the Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell, to do more to tackle child pornography.
Fine Gael leader Mr Enda Kenny demanded a specialist Garda Corps be established to tackle such crimes, while Labour's Senator Joanna Tuffy called for an immediate Oireachtas debate on the growth in the availability of pornography, both of adults and children.