GARDAÍ are investigating claims by a paedophile hunter group of sexual communications between a Limerick man and what he believed was a 13-year-old girl – but in reality was the group itself – but expressed concerns around the legality of such interactions and the potential for violence and harm.
The man was approached by members of a group identifying itself as “Justice Reborn” at a village in County Limerick.
Gardaí said they were “aware of an alleged incident that occurred in Doon, County Limerick, on 1st February 2026”.
“No arrests have been made at this time. Investigations are ongoing,” they added.
Gardaí said approaches made to individuals by “private groups” were “a cause of concern for An Garda Síochána and other police services”.
The group’s interaction with the man was recorded and streamed online, and shared by other similar groups.
The video attracted strong reaction from the public, many of whom praised the group in respect of the interaction.
However, Gardaí warned that “the activity engaged in and the manner of confrontation between such groups and their targets has the potential for violence and could result in harm to persons present”.
“There are concerns over the legality of the actions and the manner in which such groups operate, and how they interact with their chosen targets prior to and during the arranged meeting has the potential to affect future criminal proceedings.”
Gardaí sought to make it clear that it is their “role to investigate crime and enforce enacted legislation”.
“Every citizen has a constitutional right to innocence until proven guilty and be subject to a human rights based criminal investigation.”
Gardaí said the “safety of children is a priority at all times for An Garda Síochána and An Garda Síochána use all lawful means to fully investigate and prosecute crimes which jeopardise the safety of a child”.
Gardaí urged “anyone with information relating to the potential sexual exploitation of children to report it immediately to An Garda Síochána where it will be investigated by professional investigators”.
A spokesperson for Justice Reborn said the group would not make any comment on the Garda statement issued to this reporter.
The spokesperson said the group “conducted a sting operation” arising out of alleged sexual communications in “chat logs” involving a named individual.
The spokesperson said members of the group provided Gardaí with a record of the alleged communications.
The spokesperson said Justice Reborn members provided statements to Gardaí in respect of their interaction with the man.
“We gather the evidence and once it is handed to the guards, that’s our part complete,” the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson said the group has carried out “over 250 sting operations” in the past 12 months.