Bail refused because seen as ‘flight risk’
CHARGED with operating and running a brothel in Limerick City, a Polish national, Mariuz Glazeo, 26, with an address at Richmond Court, Mount Kennet Place, will appear in court via video link this week, after Judge Tom O’Donnell refused bail at a recent sitting.
Last Thursday, Garda James Bourke, gave evidence that the State objected to bail being granted to Glazeo on the grounds that he was seen as a flight risk and did not have any ties with the country.
On Tuesday, May 11, gardai executed a search warrant granted in relation to an apartment held and used by the accused.
The defendant was found at the apartment with a laptop, several mobile phones, bank lodgement slips and sums of money on his person.
Garda Bourke told the court that a follow-up search in another adjacent apartment yielded 13 phones, evidence of money transfers outside the jurisdiction and two females, believed to be prostitutes.
He added that during the course of the searches, the mobile phones were ringing and they took statements from four alleged customers that called to the apartment.
Garda Bourke added that on the following day, after a search of a third apartment, it was alleged that a laptop, further sums of money and evidence of prostitution were found.
He added that the 26-year-old made certain admissions, and that the State were in possession of witness statements to support the charge.
According to gardai, Glazeo is part of a bigger prostitution ring that could be connected with the trafficking of women from mainland Europe.
In his objection to the bail application made by Muiris Gavin, solicitor for the accused, Garda Bourke said that given the serious nature of the charges, he believed Glazeo to be a flight risk and he would “have no reason to continue residency in the country”.
Mr Gavin contested that the parents of the accused resided in Limerick and had done so for several years, and in direct evidence, Glazeo said that he would live with them, sign on daily and surrender his passport should he be granted bail.
However, Judge Tom O’Donnell refused bail, despite the denial of the accused of any involvement in prostitution, and remanded him in custody to Limerick Prison until May 20, where he will appear via video link.
Judge O’Donnell added that he would urge the State to get the directions of the DPP at the earliest possible opportunity, and that should any other charges be brought, that details would be available at the next court sitting.
