Labour Party calls on Taoiseach to investigate Jeffrey Epstein’s Irish links

The Labour Party has called for an investigation to be opened into Jeffrey Epstein’s Irish connections.

In a statement, Labour leader Ivana Bacik said she had met with Epstein survivor Lisa Phillips in London on Thursday.

Ms Bacik called on Micheal Martin to open an investigation into the paedophile financier’s “multiple trips to Ireland”.

“It beggars belief that the Taoiseach has been so slow to take action to investigate any Irish links that may be contained in the Epstein files,” she added.

The Epstein files consist of millions of pages of documents released by the US Department of Justice, with the most recent tranche made public in late January.

Ms Bacik said Labour’s foreign affairs spokesperson Duncan Smith wrote to Mr Martin requesting an investigation in February, but “we have seen no action coming from this Government”.

A Government spokesperson said the “revelations and allegations” contained in the Epstein files are “shocking and disturbing; in both the nature, and extent of the abuse outlined”.

They added: “Our thoughts go out to anyone who suffered at the hands of Jeffrey Epstein or any of his associates.”

The spokesperson urged anyone with “any information” about allegations in the Epstein files to contact gardai.

They added: “Any complaint, or evidence, of sexual abuse or human trafficking involving any Irish citizen will be treated with the utmost seriousness by An Garda Siochana, and Government is willing to assist gardai in the event of any investigation.

“Should any information come to light, or a complaint be made, it will be investigated with the full rigour of the law.”