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	<p>
		The shocking allegations centre around a well-known cr&egrave;che in Co Kildare and specialist officers have been investigating the case since complaints were made last week.</p>
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	<p>
		It&#39;s understood that the complaints were made to Co Kildare garda&iacute; by two different parents in the past 10 days.</p>
	<p>
		No arrests have been made in the case and the cr&egrave;che remains open.</p>
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	<p>
		Last night garda&iacute; confirmed that an investigation was under way involving Tusla.</p>
	<p>
		Tusla is the State&#39;s child protection agency and is involved in multiple investigations in relation to alleged abuse of children.</p>
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	<p>
		&quot;An Garda S&iacute;och&aacute;na is investigating a complaint and is currently working with Tusla. The investigation is at an early stage and is of a sensitive nature and we are therefore not in a position to comment any further as this is an ongoing investigation,&quot; a spokesman said.</p>
	<p>
		It is understood that all parents of children attending the cr&egrave;che have been informed of the allegations, but it is not known if the staff member has been suspended.</p>
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	<p>
		Sources said last night that the matter was being treated &quot;extremely seriously&quot;.</p>
	<p>
		The Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Investigation Unit is expected to take a leading role in the investigation. This specialist unit leads the investigation of complex cases.</p>
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	<p>
		It is believed that specialist child interviewers will be needed to question children who attend the cr&egrave;che.</p>
	<p>
		The exact nature of the allegations are unknown.</p>
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	<p>
		Under Children First Legislation introduced in 2014, there is a statutory obligation on certain professions to report child protection concerns to Tusla.</p>
	<p>
		Garda&iacute;, medical practitioners, teachers, clergy members, social workers and others are required to report concerns.</p>
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	<p>
		Tusla does not comment on individual cases.</p>
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		&nbsp;</p>
	<p>
		(Published by the Irish Independent on the 21st December 2016)</p>
	<p>
		<a href="http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/garda-investigate-crche-sex-assault-allegations-35310727.html">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/garda-investigate-crche-sex-assault-allegations-35310727.html</a></p>
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	&nbsp;</p>
