Courts / Longford / Report

Alleged trafficking victim tells trial she came to Ireland 'for better future'

Date
2023-01-26

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Drumlish

Summary

A woman giving evidence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court has described coming to Ireland with hopes of improving her circumstances and saving money to start a business. The witness, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, told the jury she arrived under what she characterised as an employment arrangement with expectations of financial gain. The woman was testifying in the trial of Natalia Nogueira Da Silva, of Drumlish, County Longford, and Ivanilce Vailones Fidelis, of Roscommon, who are accused of human trafficking. The State alleges both defendants trafficked two vulnerable Brazilian women for exploitation. During cross-examination, the witness clarified aspects of her initial complaint to gardaí and addressed questions regarding her immigration status and residency application. Ms Da Silva has pleaded guilty to organising prostitution and money laundering offences, and has admitted facilitating illegal entry to the State. She maintains her not-guilty plea to human trafficking. Ms Vailones Fidelis has pleaded not guilty to all charges, including human trafficking, organising prostitution, and money laundering. The trial continues before Judge Patricia Ryan and a jury.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Alleged trafficking victim tells trial she came to Ireland 'for better future'. Charges or matters: one count of human trafficking a woman 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:

March 31, 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
May 18, 2019 Other
December 5, 2018 Other
March 2020 Other
May 2021 Other
December 2018 Other
May 2019 Other
January 2015 Other
December 2020 Other
2023-01-26 Publication

Why: "She asked me why I was crying and shaking, I told her what happened and she told me I had to escape as soon as possible, because if the men arrived and found me there, they would beat or kill me. CNI source report

Case subjects

Da Silva

Defendant

Charges: one count of human trafficking a woman 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