Gardaí probing the alleged serious sexual assault of a child by several other children in Dublin last year have questioned five teenage boys.
The teenagers were arrested last Tuesday as part of an ongoing garda inquiry, reports RTE.
They were later released without charge while a file is being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
The alleged assault is said to have taken place in Dublin around this time last year after a schoolgirl travelled into the city and met with a group of other children, reports RTE.
Gardaí believe alcohol was consumed by the girl and the boys before the serious sexual assault occurred.
The girl later spoke to a family member about what had happened and gardaí were subsequently notified, reports RTE.
The incident was recorded and shared, and it is understood the footage was also sent to the child.
Gardaí launched a criminal investigation led by a divisional Protective Service Unit that specialises in the investigation of sexual offences, reports RTE.
Detectives attached to these units receive specialist training to manage complex and sensitive cases, including situations where a child alleges she was seriously sexually assaulted by a number of other children.
The investigation has continued for a year, during which gardaí carried out searches, seized mobile phones, took statements, secured social media footage as evidence and obtained CCTV from the area where the alleged assault occurred, reports RTE.
Two days ago, five teenage boys were arrested and questioned in relation to the investigation.
They were interviewed by specialist garda child interviewers, evidence was put to them, and all had access to legal advice as well as their parents or guardians, reports RTE.
They have since been released without charge pending a file to the DPP, which will ultimately determine whether criminal charges will be brought.
In a statement, Garda Headquarters said that on 20 January 2026, five arrests were made in connection with the allegation, reports RTE.
All five individuals arrested and detained were questioned regarding the alleged offence and have been released without charge, pending a file to the DPP.
Gardaí also noted that as both the alleged perpetrators and the victim are juveniles, reporting restrictions under the Children’s Act 2001 relating to the protection of minors apply, reports RTE.
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