Irish couples questioned in Mexico inquiry

Eleven Irish couples have been questioned by police investigating alleged child trafficking in the Mexican city of Guadalajara.

They have been asked by the authorities to remain in the country to help police with their inquiries.

An Irish embassy official has been in Guadalajara to provide consular assistance.

The Irish couples were involved in securing private inter-country adoptions.

Jalisco State Attorney General Tomas Coronado in Guadalajara said a medical examination had found that four of the 10 children seized during the investigation were sexually abused.

He said he could not elaborate because of the ongoing investigation and did not say when the alleged abuse would have taken place.

Last week, authorities detained four women with children aged between two months and two years.

A woman told police her sister-in-law was trying to sell one of her babies and “rent” the other one.

Seven children were seized from Irish couples.

Two men and seven women have been arrested in the case.