A garda inquiry has been launched into the sharing of images claiming to be the boys convicted of murdering schoolgirl Ana Kriegel.
The boys, identified in the media only as Boy A and Boy B, were convicted on Tuesday of murdering Ana Kriegel at Glenwood House, Laraghcon, Clonee Road, Lucan on 14 May last year.
Boy A was also convicted of Ana's aggravated sexual assault in a manner that involved serious violence to her.
Under the Children Act 2001 and by order of a judge of the Central Criminal Court it is an offence to identify the boys as they are both aged 14 and considered minors.
Images claiming to be of the two boys began circulating on social media shortly after their conviction.
Twitter and Facebook were called to a contempt of court hearing earlier today in the Central Criminal Court.
Justice Michale White said at the hearing that he had no view as to whether Twitter and Facebook were in contempt of court although people had used those social media platforms to share images of the boys and their names.
Justice Michael White urged gardai to "pursue with vigour" the "idiots" responsible for sharing the identities of the two boys.
An investigation has now been launched by detectives from Lucan garda station where the murder investigation was centred.
The investigation is expected to broaden to include specialist units such as the cyber crime unit and is expected to cover counties all over the country, reports RTE.
A garda spokesman said they didn't comment on ongoing investigations but any breaches of the Children Act would be investigated.
At the hearing, Justice White said both Twitter and Facebook had acted in "good faith" after hearing from legal representatives for them that they had moved quickly to delete any material that breached the Children Act or the judge's orders.
He upheld an injunction requiring the social media companies to remove any photos or other material identifying the two boys which they become aware of or which is brought to their attention.
Following the hearing a Facebook spokesperson said: "Facebook fully understands and respects the importance of protecting the identities of those involved in this case and of complying with Judge White’s Court Order.
"We will continue to remove and prevent the re-sharing of content identifying Boy A and Boy B as we become aware of it on Facebook, Instagram and Messenger."
The parties will return to court on Friday July 5 for the matter to be mentioned again.
