Gardaí are understood to be examining how information that officers were investigating sexual abuse allegations made against a former politician was made public.

A statement was released by the Garda press office on Friday afternoon said: “An Garda Síochána wish to confirm that we are examining all the circumstances surrounding how information relating to an ongoing criminal investigation entered the public domain.”

The statement came after former Fianna Fáil minister Pat Carey stepped down from a number of roles on Thursday but “absolutely and unconditionally” denied “any impropriety” following sex abuse allegations against a politician.

Mr Carey, who resigned as Fianna Fáil’s director of elections for the upcoming general election campaign and from a role with the Irish Red Cross, said he was “deeply upset” at being contacted by journalists.

Mr Carey also said he “does not know if the allegations mentioned in the national press relate to him”.

Mr Carey released a statement through his solicitors which said he had instructed them “in relation to the rumour and innuendo surrounding a newspaper article published [on Wednesday] entitled ‘Former Minister investigated by gardaí over child abuse claims’.”

He is resigning from a number of other community and voluntary roles he holds.

Fianna Fáil on Friday announced Cork North-Central TD Billy Kelleher would be replacing Mr Carey as director of elections.

Party leader Micheál Martin said: “I would like to thank Pat and acknowledge his work on the campaign to date.”