A 76-year-old man has been arrested in connection with an investigation into child sexual abuse over a 13 year period. 

The man is being detained at Terenure Garda Station pending an appearance at Dublin District Court later this morning.

The man, who worked in a lay position at a church in Dublin, is due to face more than 70 charges.

The abuse is alleged to have occurred between 1977 and 1990.

The investigation was carried out by officers from the Garda child protection unit.

The man was arrested by gardaí from the sexual crime management unit in the city this morning.

The arrest arose out of a long running Garda investigation - 'Operation Bluebird' - into child sexual abuse.