The Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has said a 'small number' of cases similar to that of former Garda Majella Moynihan have been uncovered.

He said they were found after a trawl of disciplinary files that date back to 1959.

But speaking at the Oireachtas Justice Committee on Wednesday, Commissioner Drew Harris said it would be difficult to confirm a definitive number.

In the 1980s, Ms Moynihan was threatened with dismissal from the force for having a baby with a colleague outside of marriage.

She was subject to an investigation after she became pregnant and charged with two counts under the 1971 Garda Síochána Regulations, relating to premarital sex and giving birth outside marriage.

She ultimately kept her job, although was also summoned and questioned at a hearing on the conduct of the child's father.

She gave birth to a son in 1984, and the child was given up for adoption.

Ms Moynihan remained in the force until 1998, when she left having sought early retirement.

Last week, Commissioner Harris and Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan met Ms Moynihan.

Commissioner Harris said he offered her "a fulsome apology" on behalf of An Garda Síochána.

While Minister Flanagan said he was pleased to have the opportunity to meet with Ms Moynihan and "to offer her an apology in person for the ordeal she endured as a young Garda in the 1980s".

On Wednesday, Commissioner Harris said getting names of the other cases involved may prove difficult.

"Undoubtedly there are some similar cases - a small number - but that's not to say that some individual may emerge who we don't have a record of at this moment".

"At this point in time, bear in mind this only broke really Saturday week ago, it's very difficult to be definitive.

"And I'm not sure we'll get to a position where we'll get to a position where we'll say 'Yes, there are the names of other women who were subject to some form of discipline inquiry'".