Cases - Brothel Keepers

In this section we provide details of cases of sex workers convicted of brothel keeping in Ireland. Through media analysis we have identified 82 cases (involving 165 individuals) of sex workers convicted of brothel keeping from 2009 to 2018. This should not be considered a representative sample of all persons convicted of brothel keeping. This research does however show that sex workers are frequently criminalised under brothel keeping laws and it also provides considerable insight into the circumstances of these prosecutions. See Analysis for a summary of the key findings.

Amiko P. and Aurora Gabriela R.

Amiko P. (25) and Aurora Gabriela R. (30), both Romanian nationals, were charged with keeping a brothel in Sligo on 3 November 2013. A Garda witness gave evidence the women were working for someone else. €340 had been seized from [...]

Ana Christina D. S., Joiceline C. D. S. and Marcia D. S.

Ana Christina D. S. (31), Joiceline C. D. S. (32) and Marcia D. S. (40), all Brazilian nationals, pleaded guilty to running a brothel out of their apartment. The court heard 6 mobile phones, a laptop and €500 was seized [...]

Andrea A., Elena V. and Simona U.

Andrea A. (19), Elena V. (30) and Simona U. (27), all Romanian nationals, were arrested after a raid on their apartment in Dundalk, Co. Louth on 18 July 2015. The women each admitted a charge of brothel keeping. The court [...]

Andrea D. and Jana D.

Andrea D. (27) and Jana D. (33), Czech nationals, sisters, both described as prostitutes, were brought before the court for brothel keeping following a Garda search of an apartment in Sligo. The court heard Gardaí had seized €2,775 from them. [...]

Andrea M. H., Florea M., Maria V. and Miheala N.

Maria V., Miheala N., Andrea M.H. and Florea M. all pleaded guilty to knowingly permitting a premises to be used as a brothel. The court heard they were arrested in two different apartments following an investigation into prostitution in Letterkenny. [...]

Andrea P., Anna L. and Ionuit B.

Andrea P. (22), Anna L. (24) and Ionuit B. (26) pleaded guilty to brothel keeping in Sligo on dates in October 2010. A Garda told the court they were put under surveillance and a plain clothes Garda had been offered [...]

Andree R. and Florina C.

Andree R. (22) and Florina C. (18), both Romanian nationals, appeared in court charged with brothel keeping at an apartment in Drogheda, Co. Louth on 2 September 2011. The women said through interpreters they were third-level students and planning to [...]