Gardaí investigate prostitution on Leeside

Details have this morning emerged about an intelligence led operation into prostitution across the country including Cork city.

Cork city was one of nine garda divisions where gardaí targeted the demand for prostitution and purchasing of sexual services in both rural and urban areas during the week of 16-21 September.

During the course of this intelligence led operation, 38 people were stopped and spoken to by members of An Garda Síochána, arising from suspicion of having purchased sexual services from an individual involved in prostitution.

A number of files will now be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions, with a view to establishing if any criminal prosecution should be initiated, arising from the 'Days of Action'.

A garda spokesperson said: “This operation reinforces An Garda Síochána’s commitment to target the demand for prostitution and to protect vulnerable persons, including victims of human trafficking involved in prostitution. This is the second national operation targeting the demand for prostitution in 2019 and further operations are planned.”

These days of action were coordinated by the Operation Quest team at the Garda National Protective Services Bureau, in liaison with local detective units and took place in furtherance of an enforcement strategy to target persons involved in the purchase of sexual services.

These days of action were also scheduled to coincide with an EMPACT (European multidisciplinary platform against criminal threats) Week of Action targeting sexual exploitation.

The Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017 criminalises the purchase of sexual services and the soliciting or purchasing of sex from a trafficked person.