A woman has been accused of running a brothel that housed more than 45 “vulnerable” sex workers in Dublin and Co. Louth.
Lenuta Andreea Cucoranu, 29, a Romanian who has lived in Ireland for 11 years, was arrested last week, reports Breaking News.
It follows a “complex” operation by investigators from the Organized Prostitution Investigation Unit at the Garda Síochána National Bureau of Defense Services.
She was detained at Store Street train station, where she was charged by gardaí over the weekend.
Ms Cucoranu was then held pending her appearance and a contested bail hearing on Monday before Judge Bryan Smyth at Dublin District Court.
Bail was granted in bonds of €500, but she cannot be released without an independent guarantee of €25,000.
Mr Cucoranu has been charged with three counts of organized prostitution and three counts of prostitution in breach of sections nine and 11 of the Sexual Offenses Act 1993; four charges of using improper instruments under the Theft and Fraud Act; and he alleged money laundering.
The crimes are believed to have taken place over the past three years.
The court heard that the brothels ran at the same time, that there was evidence from surveillance cameras and that individual prostitutes had given evidence, reports Breaking News.
Detective Sergeant Lambe said €12,500 was transferred to the three landlords over 10 weeks but the accused had no legitimate source of income.
The lawyer said her client, who is still presumed innocent, would face a long prison sentence before her trial if bail was denied because the case would likely go to a higher court.
Judge Smyth granted her bail of €500 but ordered that she require an independent bond of €25,000 with half of that amount to be posted, reports Breaking News.
The accused, who listened to the proceedings with the help of an interpreter, did not face the court and has not yet entered a plea.
Mr Cucoranu, who was remanded in custody and agreed to appear on bail on Friday, was granted legal aid.
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