Alleged trafficking victim a sex worker, defence propose

At Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, a defence barrister has proposed that a Brazilian woman alleging she was trafficked to work as a prostitute was in fact already a sex worker who chose to come to Ireland for that purpose. The complainant, giving evidence via video link with an interpreter, has previously stated she worked as a hairdresser in Brazil. During cross-examination on the second day, the defence counsel for Ivanilce Vailones Fidelis put multiple propositions to the woman, including that she was free to leave accommodation, controlled her own clients, and that her work profile was voluntarily managed. The defence also presented social media evidence from the woman's Instagram and Tinder accounts showing photographs from her time in Ireland. The complainant maintained she had no support network and was instructed to obey orders, with hopes of completing three months before being released. Natalia Nogueira Da Silva, of Drumlish, County Longford, has admitted charges including organising prostitution and money laundering but denied one human trafficking count.