Tánaiste urges anyone with information relating to Epstein to 'go to the Garda'

Ottoline Spearman

The Tánaiste has urged anyone with information relating to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein to "please go to the Garda".

"It is safe enough to say this much," Simon Harris told the Dáil on Thursday. "You clearly had here vulnerable young women in a powerful network of despicable powerful men who abused that and carried out depraved acts."

Gardaí are not currently investigating allegations relating to Ireland contained in the Epstein files, which include an allegation from a woman claiming she was trafficked to Ireland as a child.

Harris said he would discuss references to Ireland made in the Epstein files with the Taoiseach and Minister for Justice.

Addressing the Dáil, Harris said: "We are all absolutely appalled, sickened and disgusted at the depraved - and that word does not fully capture it - conduct we are seeing in some of the Epstein files.

"Of course, all law authorities, enforcement agencies and police forces are going to have to play any role that is appropriate or important in relation to answers, truth and justice.

"My understanding is that there has not been specific information in relation to the Garda and the like."

Labour TD Duncan Smith also told the Dáil on Thursday that he has written to the Taoiseach to seek international co-operation for an inquiry into the release late last year of a statement in the Epstein files, where a woman describes being a "victim of human trafficking for Jeffrey Epstein", and that she was trafficked to Ireland for the purposes of sex for "politicians and notable men".

Smith said that this statement is "not the only concerning document" released in the files that relate to Ireland.

"Within them is an email from one David Wassong to Ghislaine Maxwell which asks if she will send him 'the names and numbers of people to play with in Ireland'.

"Our State has a dark history when it comes to the abuse of children. We have seen a history of those in power, be it politicians, the clergy or police, that investigations can be shelved and victims and injustices ignored," Smith said.

"We need to be proactive here at the very least. We need to see some form of action from the Irish State to fully explore what is in those statements and emails alone, and indeed, if there is anything further."

When asked whether an investigation would be opened into the allegations contained in the files, a garda spokesperson said: "An Garda Síochána has no record of any referral or formal complaint being received on this matter.

"Any formal complaint of alleged criminal activity made to An Garda Síochána is treated with the utmost seriousness and fully investigated."