No arrests have been made as of yet.
A number of phones and laptops have been seized by Gardaí in 31 properties around Ireland as part of an investigation into the possession of child abuse images.
The searches are happening as part of Operation Ketch which is dealing with the possession and distribution of child abuse images.
Operation Ketch II is an intelligence-led operation proactively targeting suspects who possess, import and distribute child pornography on the internet.
The Operation, coordinated by the Online Child Exploitation Unit at the Garda National Protection Services Bureau, was executed between 23 - 26 July. Warrants to search more than 30 homes across the country have been executed pursuant to the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act 1998.
The searches were undertaken by the recently established Divisional Protection Service Units (DPSUs) and local Detective Units, throughout the State.
In one home, Gardaí discovered 'child sex dolls' which raised concerns with regard to how the dolls were being exported into Ireland.
"It is in one of the premises searched today and it is an issue that we have discussed in recent times with customs officials,” Assistant Commissioner, John O'Driscoll said in a press conference held on Thursday morning.
“Because we are aware that they have been imported into the State.
“It is an added concern to what is already an area that gives rise to considerable concern, to say the least.”
Digital material from the home searches has been seized for forensic examination.
So far, no arrests have been made. However, that is subject to change after the seized devices are searched by the Garda Online Child Exploitation Unit.
Liaison is being maintained with Tusla regarding any child protection concerns that arise.
The objectives of this operation are to identify Child Protection concerns that may arise and to target persons suspected of possessing, importing and/or distributing online child pornography.
During February of this year, 38 premises were searched in the first phase of Operation Ketch.
Two suspects identified in those searches have been referred to the Juvenile Diversion Programme. A third suspect identified in the course of the operation has recently been charged in respect of particular criminal offences.
A total of seven suspects have made admissions regarding their online activities, to date.
In one of those cases, Terabytes of material were seized, which amounts to in excess of 1,000 hours of child abuse video imagery.
The remaining cases are subject to ongoing investigation.
