LIMERICK gardai have been urged to investigate the background as to how two women, “with no visible source of income”, can stay at a Limerick hotel somewhat indefinitely. Judge Tom O’Donnell’s comments came after Limerick District Court found two women guilty of loitering for the purpose of prostitution on Catherine Street recently. The charges are contrary to section 8 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 1993.
Eleana Condrea, aged 19, and Gerogina Stamati, 20, both of no fixed abode, were before the court pleading guilty to the charges brought about by gardai after they were arrested on October 4 last.
Gardai gave evidence that the two females were observed at various times in the vicinity of Catherine Street and failed to take the directions of gardai and were subsequently arrested, cautioned and charged.
The two Romanian nationals were said to have come to the city within the last month and were staying at a Limerick city hotel.
Muris Gavin, solicitor for both accused, said that the two were part of a “bigger ring” and despite not having a “any source of income”, they hoped to stay in Limerick.
“They have no means and no way of surviving and are very vulnerable individuals,” added the solicitor.
Both were said to have been from family backgrounds and would send any money home to their relatives.
Judge O’Donnell questioned the ability to stay in the hotel, saying that he did not want to “sound facetious,” but how it was that these women could stay in a Limerick hotel and not have any “visible source of income”.
The District Court judge also noted that the number of similar such cases before him were increasing and that he was conscious that the charges were relating to “one location in the city most of the time”.
He added that it struck him as “odd” as to how the hotel was paid and that it was not a matter for the courts but one for the gardai to pursue.
For the charges of loitering for the purposes of prostitution, both women were fined and €100 each and given six months to pay.
