One arrested in connection with Carlow prostitution ring

One man has been arrested as part of an on-going garda investigation into a prostitution ring.

The investigation centres on the south-east involving a few hundred prostitutes.

Two men from a quiet region in Carlow were allegedly running the operation through a plant hire company.

It is believed bookings for "escorts" were taken at a rural house Co Carlow.

Gardaí say the two men were from the south-east and their operation included women from all over the world working as prostitutes.

Documents and phone records allegedly show meetings in hotels and brothels across the country including Carlow, Kilkenny and Waterford.

It has been reported the women were charging €140 for half an hour and €260 for an hour.

The Criminal Assets Bureau is investigating the plant hire business, which they believe was being used to launder money from the prostitution racket.

Advertisements in English newspapers were used to recruit new and illegally-trafficked girls.

One of the men has been arrested the other has since gone missing.