A FORMER government minister in the Republic is being investigated by gardaí following allegations he sexually abused children, according to reports.
Several men and women have made statements alleging they were abused by the politician in the 1990s, the Irish Independent reported.
However, the investigation is thought to still be at an early stage and the former minister has not yet had the opportunity to refute the allegations.
It is thought to be the first time a senior Irish politician has been at the centre of child abuse allegations.
All of the adults who complained are from the Dublin area.
One of the men who made a complaint is said to have gone to a Garda station about the same politician more than a decade ago.
The alleged victim claimed he tried to get gardaí to investigate the politician but his statement was never followed up, it was reported.
The Irish Independent said it understood the nature of the alleged sexual abuse is "not at the higher level of scale".
