State set to seize brothel-keeper's assets

The State has indicated an intention to make an application to confiscate the assets of a convicted brothel-keeper.

Martin “The Beast” Morgan (aged 48) has served a three-year jail term imposed in March 2008 by Judge Frank O’Donnell.

He had been convicted by a jury at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court of organising prostitution and running a brothel at Bachelor’s Walk apartment in the city centre on dates from August 22 to October 10, 2005.

He was also fined €24,000 by Judge O’Donnell who described his activity as: “A magnificent operation, highly sophisticated and highly rewarding and not a petty little business working on a shoestring.”

Morgan with addresses at Herbert Lane, Ballsbridge and Blackstock Road, London, and formerly of Blacksheep Road, Blanchardstown, was found guilty on three charges following an 18-day trial.

Fergal Foley BL, for the Director of Public Prosecutions, told Judge Desmond Hogan, at a preliminary hearing, that it was the State’s intention to apply for the forfeiture and confiscation of Morgan’s assets.

He told the court that the State must first seek information from Morgan in relation to his financial situation.

“We need to see what assets he had before, during or since his trial so I can isolate a particular package and effectively see what is up for grabs,” Mr Foley said.

He told Judge Hogan that he had prepared 24 questions for Morgan’s defence team that he said represented “pertinent questions which he is capable of answering”.

Mr Foley said the gardaí have given “opinion evidence” during the trial of the income they felt the particular brothel would have generated during the time they had the premises under surveillance, but accepted that Morgan would have had a share in this gain.

“The State must be satisfied of his state of affairs before it embarks on a forfeiture application,” Mr Foley said. “For all I know he may have wisely invested his money in Anglo Irish Bank shares or property. The court is entitled to know what happened to this stockpile of cash.”

Diana Stuart BL, defending, said her client objected to the 24 questions, particularly those that referred to Morgan’s financial position in the five years prior to the conviction.

She also argued that a question from the State in relation to Morgan’s legal costs over the course of the trial was irrelevant.

Judge Hogan ruled that the questions were “not unreasonable” and said the State has a right to know Morgan’s financial situation in the five years prior to his trial, considering that the offences dated from 2005.

He gave Morgan three months to answer all the question posed by the State.