Courts / Laois / Report

Woman allegedly trafficked for prostitution tells trial she was moved to new town 'every week'

Date
2023-01-25
Stage
Trial
Primary locality
Portarlington
County
Laois

Summary

A woman giving evidence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court has described being moved between rural towns weekly while allegedly trafficked for sexual exploitation. The complainant, who cannot be named, told the trial she was relocated from locations including Portarlington, Enniscorthy and Tralee, and kept a knife for protection following violent incidents with clients. She said she received instructions via phone and messaging apps from two women regarding services to be provided and payment collection, with no option to refuse work or relocation. Natalia Nogueira Da Silva, aged 32, of Drumlish, County Longford, has pleaded not guilty to human trafficking between March and May 2019, but guilty to organising prostitution, facilitating illegal entry to the State, and money laundering charges. Ivanilce Vailones Fidelis, aged 46, of Roscommon, denies all eighteen counts against her, including two counts of human trafficking and fourteen counts of money laundering. The prosecution alleges both defendants exploited vulnerable Brazilian women through debt bondage. The trial continues at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Woman allegedly trafficked for prostitution tells trial she was moved to new town 'every week'. Charges or matters: one count of human trafficking at an unknown location within the State, on dates between March 31, 2019 and May 18, 2019; all 18 counts against her; one count of organising prostitution during the same time period; 14 counts of money laundering the proceeds of crime on dates between January 2015 and December 2020 and one count of removing proceeds of crime from the State during the same time period. Procedural stage: trial

When:

Why: They threatened to call immigration on her if she was violent towards any man because that would "bring complications". CNI source report

Case subjects

Da Silva

Defendant

Charges: one count of human trafficking at an unknown location within the State, on dates between March 31, 2019 and May 18, 2019; all 18 counts against her; one count of organising prostitution during the same time period; 14 counts of money laundering the proceeds of crime on dates between January 2015 and December 2020 and one count of removing proceeds of crime from the State during the same time period (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Vailones Fidelis

Defendant

Charges: all 18 counts against her; one count of organising prostitution during the same time period; 14 counts of money laundering the proceeds of crime on dates between January 2015 and December 2020 and one count of removing proceeds of crime from the State during the same time period (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Residence

Topics

Fraud Stage Trial Violent Crime

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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