Courts / Dublin / Report

Man who allowed apartment to be used as a brothel ordered to pay €10,000 to Ruhama

Date
2014-12-18

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

Thomas Lyons, a 56-year-old road engineer from The Warren, Malahide Road, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to permitting an apartment at Burnell Court, Northern Cross, Malahide Road, to be used as a brothel between February 22 and June 22, 2011. Judge Mary Ellen Ring suspended a sentence of two and a half years on the condition that Lyons engage with offence and victim-focused work. She also ordered him to pay €10,000 to Ruhama, an organisation dealing with the damage done by prostitution. Lyons admitted to gardai that he advertised the property on an escort website to help pay mortgages on three properties and support his family after splitting with his Brazilian girlfriend, who was involved in the escort industry. Prosecution counsel Gerardine Small BL noted that Lyons made full admissions during interview and that he had not trafficked the women or acted as a pimp. Defence counsel Colm O'Briain BL highlighted Lyons' respectable background, his full cooperation, and his ongoing financial responsibilities. Judge Ring acknowledged Lyons' good character but stated that this was not a victimless crime, noting that he played an important part in the offence and put his family's future at risk. The matter was finalised with the suspended sentence and financial order.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Man who allowed apartment to be used as a brothel ordered to pay €10,000 to Ruhama. Charges or matters: permitting an apartment at Burnell Court, Northern Cross, Malahide Road to be used as a brothel between February 22 and June 22, 2011. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

February 22 Incident
June 22, 2011 Incident
June 22 Other
2014-12-18 Publication

Why: He said he got the idea to advertise on the website because of her involvement in the trade. CNI source report

Case subjects

Thomas Lyons

Defendant

Charges: permitting an apartment at Burnell Court, Northern Cross, Malahide Road to be used as a brothel between February 22 and June 22, 2011 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Judge Mary Ellen Ring suspended a sentence of two and a half years on condition that he engage with offence and victim focused work.