TWO brothels in Limerick city which have been the subject of considerable media attention in recent weeks are no longer operating after the occupants were evicted by their landlords. One of the premises which is located near the city centre and which is currently for sale is owned by a Cork businessman while the other flat, which is located above a legitimate business, is owned by a Limerick city businessman.
Until recently both premises were being rented by a group of Romanian nationals, who gardai believe are connected to the same criminal gang. Garda sources have confirmed the prostitutes have left the two premises in recent days having been asked to do so by their respective landlords. It is not known if they were aware of the illicit activities being conducted by their tenants before the recent publicity.
One legal source confirmed it is open to gardai to prosecute the owners of premises where brothels are being operated. While the women have been evicted gardai suspect they are still engaged in prostitution in the city. It is understood gardai have identified a number of apartment complexes which they believe are now being used by the women. In a new strategy, which came into effect on August 1, gardai have begun serving Antisocial Behaviour Orders ASBOs on women they suspect are loitering for the purposes of prosecution.
A number of Romanian women, some of whom have now been evicted by their landlords, are currently before the courts for alleged breaches of such orders. If they are convicted, they can be ordered by the court to stay away from specified areas for up to two years.
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