Gardaí investigate reports of prostitution operation in Tralee

GARDAÍ in Tralee yesterday confirmed they are investigating reports of prostitution in the town.

Prostitutes, believed to be from Cork and Limerick, have been operating out of rented rooms and apartments in the town. However, it is understood some local hotels have also been used, with both sex and drugs being offered to clients.

“This is not a large-scale operation, but the reports are being investigated,” a garda source said.

Sources said hotel rooms were being used, mainly during weekends, with the prostitutes charging up to €150 for their internet-based services, plus €30 for a single line of cocaine. Gardaí were called to one Tralee hotel, but two prostitutes who had been using a room had gone before the gardaí arrived.

Prostitutes are also believed to be working out of an apartment in the centre of Tralee and have used a number of apartments in the recent past.

However, as soon as the owner of the apartment discovers that a sex-for-sale business is taking place, the prostitutes have to move on and find another premises.

Proving cases of prostitution in court can be difficult.

However, if gardaí can prove that a person knowingly rents a premises as a brothel, the owner of the property can be jailed and fined.

Furthermore, a person living on the earnings of a prostitute can face an indictable charge and be tried before a judge and jury.