Mayo-based garda linked to organised prostitution

Mayo based garda involved in organised prostitution


Áine Ryan

A GARDA, who was stationed in a County Mayo town until his suspension two years ago, is set to be charged with corruption offences relating to illegal trafficking and organised prostitution.
The charges follow an in-depth investigation by the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) into organsied prostitution in the west of Ireland.
The Garda, who is a native of Sligo, is suspected of falsifying documentation that allowed an African woman, who worked as a prostitute, remain in the State illegally. It is believed that he may not have been aware of the full extent of her activities.
The garda is also suspected of organising the woman’s rented accommodation.
Reportedly, the garda agreed, after he became friendly with the woman, to assist a member of a gang that smuggled women from Africa to Ireland for prostitution.
A Sunday Times article, at the weekend quoted a security source, who claimed: “[The garda] did not compromise any police investigation. He seems to have got involved in this for personal reasons but the evidence suggests he wasn’t a central player.
His involvement in the conspiracy came to light after colleagues observed irregularities in immigration paperwork submitted by migrants.”
The source also said that while the garda was a facilitator he was not involved in the actual running of the criminal operation.
According to gardaí, organised prostitution is no longer the preserve of big city red light districts and is increasingly controlled by gangs that move foreign women into rural towns. They then move the women from one rented house to another, advertise the service on the internet, and use ready-to-go mobile numbers.
A Garda spokesman confirmed to The Mayo News last night that an investigation was ongoing and a file would be forwarded to the DPP in due course.
In February 2009, The Mayo News revealed that Westport gardaí had broken up a prostitution operation at the Quay. The operation was run through an escort-type website, where customers select a county and then choose from a range of women and services available.