Couple charged with running brothel in Cork remanded on bail

Woman also faces charge of having a can of pepper spray in her possession

Director of Public Prosecutions had given directions in the case that it should be dealt with by indictment at Cork Circuit Criminal Court, court told. Picture: Larry Cummins

A man and a woman appeared in court on Wednesday on charges related to their alleged part in brothel-keeping at Watercourse Road in Cork in 2021.

Sergeant John Kelleher said at Cork District Court the Director of Public Prosecutions had given directions in the case that it should be dealt with by indictment at Cork Circuit Criminal Court. The DPP also consented to a plea of guilty being entered at the district court for sentencing at the circuit court.

39-year-old Tiberius Bot, of Ross Park, Killavullen, Co Cork, is charged with brothel-keeping contrary to the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act.

The single charge against him states that on November 11, 2021, at 1 Bleasby Street Mews, Bleasby Street, Watercourse Road, Cork, he did keep or manage or act or assist in the management of a brothel.

40-year-old Alina Maria Straton, also of Ross Park, Killavullen, faces the same charge.

In addition, she faces another charge related to the following day, November 12, 2021, at her home in Kilavullen of having a cannister of pepper spray in her possession, contrary to the Firearms Act.

Shane Collins-Daly, solicitor, represented both accused and applied for a precis of the evidence and a memo of their interviews with gardaí. Mr Collins-Daly said consideration would be given to whether they would be pleading guilty or not guilty.

Free legal aid was granted for the representation of both accused after Judge Dorgan was told they were dependent on social welfare payments.

Judge Dorgan remanded both of them on bail until October 1 at Cork District Court.

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