Twenty-three addresses have been searched in recent days as part of an operation targeting suspects involved in the possession and distribution of child exploitation material.
Gardaí say the fifth phase of Operation Ketch focuses on those who use social network sites and file sharing networks to possess and distribute the images.
The Online Child Exploitation Unit of the Garda National Protection Services Bureau is leading the operation.
Searches were carried out in 11 counties between 1 and 4 February under warrants issued in accordance with the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act.
Six were conducted in Dublin, six in Cork, two in Donegal, two in Monaghan, and one each in Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Kerry, Limerick, Louth and Meath.
Digital material was seized for forensic examination at all of the addresses searched.
Follow up searches are expected to be carried out in the coming days.
Gardaí say liaison is being maintained with the child and family agency Tusla regarding any child protection concerns that arise.
The operation was timed to coincide with Safer Internet Day, which is today.
An Garda Síochána is in conjunction with Webwise, the Irish Internet Safety Awareness Centre, promoting the ‘Be in Ctrl’ schools programme.
It aims to inform students of the risk of online exploitation, raise awareness regarding safe online behaviour and empower young people to seek help and report incidents to the gardaí.
