Covert cameras found in rooms, brothel trial hears

The trial of a woman on charges of organising prostitution and keeping brothels opened in Cork this afternoon.

Caroline O’Leary, aged 42, of Scartbarry, Watergrasshill, County Cork, has pleaded not guilty to a total of 69 counts related to the alleged organisation of prostitution and the keeping of brothels at 26 John Street and 18 Grafton Street, Cork, on dates between January 2006 and May 2007.

Prosecution senior counsel Marjorie Farrelly told the 12 men of the jury at Cork Circuit Criminal Court that Ms O’Leary’s partner, Tony Linnane, also of Scartbarry, had previously pleaded guilty to the organisation of prostitution and the keeping of brothels at John Street and Grafton Street, Cork.

Ms Farrelly SC said the Grafton Street premises (between Oliver Plunkett Street and South Mall) over the Jade Winters adult shop was raided in November 20, 2006.

Ms Farrelly said: "A number of covert cameras were found in rooms used for prostitution, in particular one of the rooms. The covert camera was triggered on by a person working in the sex shop down stairs. Covert cameras were found in electrical plugs in the wall and that sort of thing.

"In a raid at the premises at Scartbarry where Mr Linnane and Ms O’Leary reside - computer equipment was found. The State will say the evidence demonstrates from these covert cameras a live feed that could be relayed to what was occurring in these rooms where the business of prostitution was being conducted," Ms Farrelly said.

The senior counsel said: "A particular list demonstrated how the spoils of prostitution were being divided. One of the lists you will see, has each of the girls working at any given time. Half of what they earned went to what was described as ‘boss’, half went to themselves."

Tom Creed senior counsel for Ms O’Leary said the defence was prepared to accept that the premises were brothels and the prosecution did not need to prove this.

Uncontested statements from five customers and five prostitutes were read into evidence without the parties being identified.