Defence Forces member under investigation for 'grooming and sexually abusing a child'
Military bosses have now placed the soldier on special leave, pending the outcome of the Garda Probe
Gardai have searched a location in a Defence Forces camp connected to a soldier - over allegations a serving soldier groomed and sexually assaulted a child.
The Irish Mirror has learned that specially trained Garda detectives searched in Finner Camp, near Ballyshannon, in Co Donegal as part of their probe.
The search took place on Sunday morning after the officers obtained a court warrant to enter the base, as well as the soldier’s home address. The Defence Forces facilitated the search in the camp.
Sources have stressed that gardai do not suspect any offence actually took place at the camp.
It’s understood the gardai searched a location in the camp connected to the soldier, which is home to several hundred military personnel.
Sources tell us the soldier - who has not been arrested as the investigation is in its early stages - is under investigation for a number of alleged offences.
We understand he is under investigation for suspected rape as well as engaging in a sexual act with a child under the age of 17.
Those offences carry a maximum sentence of life and up to 15 years respectively, if the person is in a position of authority over the child.
The man is also being investigated for suspected use of information and communication technology to facilitate the sexual exploitation of a child.
Under the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act of 2017, that can carry a sentence of up to 14 years in prison.
It is understood Garda experts will now examine items seized in the search operation, including phones and laptops, before making their next move.
A Garda spokesman confirmed a search took place as part of an investigation.
He did not specify the locations, but sources say a location at the camp connected to the soldier and his private residence were both searched.
The Garda spokesman told us: “As part of an ongoing investigation, Gardaí searched a location in the North Western Region on 10th May 2026.”
But a Defence Forces spokesman confirmed to us that it facilitated a search of the camp on May 10,
He also said the Defence Forces had a zero tolerance approach to serious assault and sexual offences cases.
And he said that the member of the Defence Forces had been placed on special leave, pending the outcome of the Garda investigation.
The spokesman said: “The Defence Forces can confirm that an An Garda Síochána search was facilitated on 10 May.
“Óglaigh na hÉireann takes a zero-tolerance approach to serious assault and sexual offences and the individual in question has been placed on special leave, on a without prejudice basis, pending the conclusion of the investigation.
“As this investigation is ongoing with An Garda Síochána, we will provide no further comment and refer further queries to An Garda Siochána"
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