An investigation has been launched by gardaí into allegations of sexual abuse made by a boy (11) in care.

The child claims that his father and mother forced his younger siblings to engage in sexual acts.

The District Court issued an interim care order yesterday evening for the two younger children - now aged 4 and 7 - to allow time to assess the claims, which were described by a garda witness as among the most extreme she had ever encountered.

It is alleged the father and mother of the children sexually abused them when they were as young as 2 and 4-years-old at a time when the family was being supervised by the Health Service Executive (HSE).

The parents deny all the allegations including a claim of incest that was leveled against the mother.

Newstalk's Courts Correspondent Francesca Comyn gave more details to Breakfast this morning.

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