Human traffickers using Ireland more as a gateway

A child protection group says that human traffickers are increasingly using Ireland as a gateway into Britain. Ecpat says the traffickers are using Ireland more because their traditional routes into Britain from France now have tightened security.

From Ireland's Wexford People newspaper, we read more on what is within the report.

Children as young as three years old are being bought and sold for sex, as domestic servants and for forced marriages.

The report by international child protection organisation Ecpat commended the UK for "notable efforts" in fighting child trafficking, but said Ireland had only made "some progress".

And while Ireland was doing better than some other European countries such as Sweden or Greece, campaigners pointed out it was lagging at the bottom of the progress rankings.

Ecpat said Ireland was also considered a destination for trafficked children as well as a transit country to the UK. Ireland is a source country for tourists travelling to destinations such as the Philippines and Thailand to have sex with children.

"Traffickers are finding getting through the 'classic' routes into Britain - ferries from France or through the larger London airports - increasingly difficult due to heightened security," the report said.