Aura A. (19), Mariela A. (22), Mona Lisa P. (22) and Raluca T. (23), all Romanian nationals, were arrested as part of a clampdown on sex workers during the Galway Races in July 2011. A Garda told the court he had searched the women’s rented apartment and found 21 mobile phones, €1,500 in cash and records of clients’ details. Each of the women was advertising on the internet, he said, and all were equally responsible for running the brothel. Solicitors for the women said they had only been in Ireland a number of weeks and wanted to put this matter behind them. All planned on leaving the country shortly and none had previous convictions. All four pleaded guilty. The judge imposed fines of €300 on each of the women and ordered the forfeiture of all the “business mobile phones” to the State. A Garda asked the judge to consider ordering the women to leave Galway within 48 hours, but the judge said he had no jurisdiction in respect of deportation.
Source(s):
Irish Independent, 27-07-2011
