2025-04-11 · Galway
Man found guilty of trafficking and prostitution of partner
In a Galway Circuit Court trial, a 26‑year‑old Eastern European man was found guilty of human trafficking, the organisation of prostitution and coercive control of his partner. The jury heard that the couple moved to Galway in 2020, after the defendant forced the woman to work as an escort in their shared house and later drove her to Airbnbs across Ireland. He took photographs of her, posted them online, booked venues, acted as security, drove her to locations and controlled her finances. The woman, who had come to Ireland at 18 for a better life, was forced to work as an escort and later as a "sugar baby" before becoming pregnant. She disclosed the abuse at a Garda station, leading to the defendant's arrest. The prosecution presented evidence of the defendant's control over her work, finances and movements, while the defence argued a lack of evidence and reasonable doubt. The jury convicted him on all three charges. Eastern European pleaded not guilty.