Gardai will today start digging up a garden on the southside  of Dublin city after claims two babies are buried there.

It follows allegations a woman was raped and gave birth to the infants.

Gardai served a search warrant at an address on the southside of the city yesterday evening.

The woman told officers she was raped in the 1960s and 1970s by members of a paedophile ring.

It's believed she gave birth to a baby at the age of just twelve, and again when she was 14.

The woman alleges both were buried in the back garden of the house which is now being prepped for excavation.

Experts from the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation have been drafted in and the state pathologist has been put on standby.

Its expected the search will take up to one month.

Gardai say the results of the dig will determine the future direction of the investigation.

Cathal Mc Mahon is crime reporter with the Independent