The Irish Internet Hotline uncovered 148% more child sexual abuse material last year than the previous year according to the Internet Service Providers Association of Ireland's annual report.
An analysis of online illegal content reported to its 'Hotline.ie' service shows that, in 2014, it dealt with the greatest number of reports received in one year since its establishment in 1999.
This marks a jump of 97% above the average of the previous seven years.
Of the 4,863 reports received and processed in 2014, 335 cases were confirmed by hotline analysts as child sexual abuse material.
Nine of those cases were traced to Ireland, 222 were traced and forwarded to the International Network of Internet Hotlines (INHOPE) and 21 were traced to countries outside the INHOPE network and dealt with via law enforcement channels.
Other forms of illegal content identified by Hotline.ie were 20 cases of a financial nature, one case of child grooming activity and two cases promoting violence against individuals.
At the launch of the report, Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald said the hotline service contributes to the empowerment of citizens by providing a means to report illegal material and in particular Child Sexual Abuse Material on the internet.
She said that the service, in cooperation with gardaí, helps in dealing with illegal material.
