Web Prostitution Racket Exposed

Ireland, Nov. 20th. (Independant) This was 'not the first career choice' of the women, who had travelled to Ireland to 'make money for Christmas' GARDAI have uncovered a prostitution racket being operated on the internet by criminal gangs who are flying 'escorts' in from Eastern Europe and South America. Over recent months, a number of foreign prostitutes have appeared before Limerick district court after intensive garda investigations. At the weekend, two Estonian prostitutes returned home after they were arrested in a Limerick city brothel. They arrived in the country last Thursday with the aim of making some cash for Christmas.

Kristin Pukk (26), and Mare Koller (30), appeared before a special sitting of Limerick District Court after they were arrested in an apartment on William Street in the city on Friday. Detective Garda Dave Bourke, of Roxboro garda station, said each of the accused was arrested following a surveillance operation lasting a number of weeks. "The premises was searched under warrant and they were engaged with a client at the time," Det Bourke said. Judge Aeneas McCarthy also heard that €400 in cash was recovered by gardai at the premises.

Gardai became aware of the brothel through a website which was the "first point of contact". This website is being operated by Limerick and Dublin criminals. Det Bourke said "the operation is operating through an internet phone service which was directed to the brothel". The website in question, which was not named in court, offers a "totally confidential and discreet Limerick escort service". According to the site, "luxury incalls and discreet outcalls are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week". Clients can choose their escort in advance from specially selected images. The escorts were advertised as being from Brazil, Spain and the Czech Republic. Both Ms Pukk and Ms Koller pleaded guilty to permitting the premises on William Street to be used as a brothel.

Defence solicitor John Herbert said his clients were just working on the premises and there were "bigger, darker forces behind the operation". Mr Herbert said this was "not the first career choice" of the women, who had travelled to Ireland to "make some money for Christmas". Inspector Seamus Gallagher said they had travelled here "under their own free will" and added that it was not a human trafficking case. After being given undertakings that the defendants would return to Estonia immediately, Judge McCarthy imposed the probation act. He also ordered that €300 of the money seized should be forfeited and that the remainder should be returned to Ms Pukk and Ms Koller to "tide them over".
- Barry Duggan
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