Detectives investigating allegations of historical child sexual abuse in Fermanagh are examining 46 cases, Chief Constable Simon Byrne has confirmed.

Police have arrested two suspects and interviewed a third who presented voluntarily in connection with the claims of child sexual abuse.

Mr. Byrne told a meeting of the Policing Board today (Thursday) that a total of 46 cases are currently being examined following a query by Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA Sean Lynch.

According to the BBC, he was responding to a question about the alleged slow pace of the overall investigation.

Mr. Byrne said officers were "trying to be victim-centred to obtain evidence".

"Because of the complexity and sensitivity of these kind of investigations, they often do proceed at a slow pace," he said.

Ten months ago, claims of alleged child abuse in Fermanagh first emerged in The Impartial Reporter newspaper.

Mr. Byrne insisted that the pace of the investigation was not down to "a lack of resolve on the part of the PSNI", and that the cases "will remain a concern until we can see people in court".

On Tuesday, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council said it was "co-operating" with detectives investigating the allegations, some of which relate to claims children were sexually abused by a network of men in public toilets in Enniskillen.

The toilets were once owned by the former Fermanagh District Council.

Council Chairwoman Siobhan Currie said co-operation with the PSNI is ongoing, that safeguarding protocols are in place and that funding is being provided to a number of agencies supporting victims.