Key figures in lap dance industry arrested

A NUMBER of key figures in the lapdancing industry were arrested yesterday under human trafficking legislation.

The arrests follow last month’s Operation Quest, which targeted lapdancing clubs across the country.

Two people were questioned yesterday at Store Street Garda Station, where the Dublin-based part of Operation Quest is being coordinated.

Operation Quest was aimed at establishing the employment status of lapdancers and the extent to which employers were complying with the law.

Gardaí were also investigating whether any of the lapdancers were brought into the country illegally.

In addition, detectives were probing allegations that members of paramilitary organisations were muscling in on the industry.

More than 100 people were detained at the time, including one lapdancing club owner, who was subsequently released.

The vast majority of those detained were lapdancers, primarily from the Baltic States, Russia and Eastern Europe as well as Britain, the US and Canada.

The lapdancing clubs raided on June 5 were located in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway and Dundalk.

A garda spokesman yesterday confirmed two people were detained at Store Street.

He said the individuals had been arrested under the Illegal Immigrant Trafficking Act and detained under section four of the Criminal Justice Act. He said the two could be held for a maximum of 12 hours.

Garda stations are completing files in relation to Operation Quest for the Director of Public Prosecutions.