By Fionnán Sheahan, Political Correspondent
THERE is no evidence that a paedophile ring is operating in Cork, according to Justice Minister Michael McDowell.Despite speculation during the investigation into the disappearance and tragic death of Robert Holohan in Midleton, Co Cork, of the existence of a paedophile ring in the region, the minister says the gardaí have no evidence of any such activities.

During the investigation, gardaí were looking at the possibility that the 11-year-old schoolboy had been abducted and were interviewing known sex offenders in the region.

It emerged that more than 12 paedophiles on the Sexual Offenders Register were asked to account for their movements.

However, when asked in a parliamentary question by Sinn Féin justice spokesman Aengus Ó Snodaigh if it was his information that there was a paedophile ring operating in Munster, as has been claimed, Mr McDowell said: “I am informed by the garda authorities that An Garda Síochána have no evidence of any paedophile ring operating in the Munster area,” he said.

A suspected paedophile ring operating in East Cork was believed to have been smashed more than three years ago when a number of men from Cobh were jailed for sexual attacks on young boys.

The leader of the ring, Patrick Collins, aged 60, from Cobh, was jailed for 10 years in 2001 for abusing three of his nephews and another boy. The serial child abuser received afurther six-month jail term in 2002 for abusing another boy.

During the Garda investigation, led by Sergeant John Quinn, it emerged that paedophiles shared the names of vulnerable children and discussed places to find unaccompanied children.

The minister also confirmed that the gardaí and the Police Service of Northern Ireland maintain regular contact and exchange intelligence and information on convicted sex offenders. But Mr McDowell could not confirm if an all-Ireland sex offender register will be set up.

“In the context of the Good Friday Agreement an intergovernmental agreement on north-south co-operation on criminal justice matters, together with an associated work programme, is being negotiated and is expected to be finalised shortly.”