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An Irish social worker working for the Child and Family Agency Tusla has been arrested on suspicion of downloading child pornography.

The Munster-based employee, who worked in the area of child protection, was arrested after a unit of specialist cops in Cork had been monitoring Irish perverts online.

The man was among a number of people, including other professionals and the fathers of young children, who have been arrested as part of the investigation in recent months.

A source told the Irish Sun: “The unit have found people accessing the most horrific of ­pornographic images of children.

“They have been arresting and interviewing these perverts with files being sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions for consideration of prosecution.

“I suppose the big message now is if you engage in this type of vile crime, you will be caught.”

Gardai seized a number of files from the man' office as part of their investigation, The Irish Sun reports.

Tusla have said the man is no longer employed by them after the alleged offence came to light.

A spokesman said: “We are aware of the Garda investigation.”

Commenting on the investigation, Councillor Chris O’Leary, Chairman of the Joint Policing Committee in Cork, said: “This unit is enjoying considerable success in tracking down these perverts who prey on children, who groom children and who download child porn.

“The social worker who has been caught is one of a number of people in a similar situation.

“I know they have been arrested, cautioned and files are being prepared or already sent to the DPP.

"Phones, computers and tablets have been seized by ­members of the unit — who are detecting these crimes much faster than previously".

He added: “As a community worker I know the impact being groomed and exploited by predators has on children who feel shame even though it’s not their fault.

"It often ends with them taking their own lives, self-harming and other behaviour totally out of ­previous character.”