A trainee garda has been suspended after it was discovered that he took part in an adult film.

The man was filmed with other men and women and participated with a woman in scenes of an explicit sexual nature.

The adult film was made before he applied to join An Garda Síochána.

It is understood the man may have been in his late teens at the time and the film could be up to ten years old.

It is not illegal in this country to become an actor in a pornographic film and the participants in this film were consenting adults.

It is understood the man did not disclose his participation in the film during his application process and he may not necessarily have been required to either.

Garda Headquarters confirmed the man's suspension, pending the outcome of an inquiry.

It said it does not comment on the detail of internal disciplinary matters and would not be commenting further.

The investigation will examine all aspects of the case, including possible illegal activities, associations with criminals, and susceptibility to blackmail.

The inquiry will also seek to determine the man's suitability for membership of An Garda Síochána.

The man is the second trainee to be removed from the Garda College in Templemore in recent months.

In April, a man resigned after it was discovered he had taken part in an alleged sham marriage to gain residency in Ireland.

There are more than 600 trainee gardaí in Templemore, with the next group due to graduate later this month.

A recruitment campaign is under way as part of the Government's plan to bring the strength of the force up to 21,000.

The Public Appointments Service recruits new members for An Garda Síochána and in previous years during accelerated recruitment campaigns unsuitable people have been recruited only to be dismissed later and convicted in the courts.