Gardai are investigating allegations by two teenage Zambian girls that they were systematically sexually abused by the partner of a woman who brought them to live in Wexford.
The 15-year-old girls, who were living in Wexford town, were taken into care by the South Eastern Health Board after the alleged abuse came to light. They were reunited with their families in Zambia about three weeks ago.
Health board staff notified gardaí and the girls made formal statements of complaint before their departure from Ireland.
The man who allegedly carried out the assaults has left the jurisdiction, while the woman who brought them to Wexford is still living locally, according to a Garda spokesman. Both are non-nationals.
The spokesman said a file was being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions and arrangements could be made to have the girls brought back to Ireland to give evidence in the event of charges being brought. The gardaí have enlisted the assistance of Interpol in attempting to track down the man.
The teenagers were among a large number of unaccompanied minors coming to Ireland in the care of adult asylum-seekers, who are not their parents or immediate family members.
"They came in with a female, apparently with the consent of their families," the Garda spokesman said. "They alleged they were systematically abused by the partner of this woman."
A spokeswoman for the South Eastern Health Board would not reveal details about the case, saying it was policy not to comment on cases involving the protection of children.
She said the health board was not aware of any evidence to suggest there was a pattern of trafficking of children into the area.