Prostitution cases struck out

SEVENTEEN men who had charges brought against them for soliciting undercover female gardai acting as prostitutes, had their cases struck out after they made donations to Doras Luimni. Last year, a garda sting was put in place and 26 men were caught soliciting two female gardai in Limerick city. The cases were adjourned and the men were each ordered to pay €470 to Doras Luimni by Judge Eamon O’Brien.

This week, the cases of 17 of those who appeared were returned to court and after evidence was given of the payment order being made, the cases were struck out.
One foreign national who did not comply with the order made by Judge O’Brien, was convicted and fined €700. The 36-year-old has a number of months to pay or faces a jail term in lieu of failure to pay the fine.
A bench warrant was issued for one man who did not appear and two cases were adjourned until later this month, while the cases relating to three men who are contesting the matter will be heard on April 26.