Courts / Roscommon / Report

Alleged trafficking victim a sex worker, defence propose

Date
2023-01-27

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Roscommon

Summary

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. Vailones Fidelis pleaded not guilty. Da Silva pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Alleged trafficking victim a sex worker, defence propose. 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. Procedural stage: trial

When:

May 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
March 31, 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
May 18, 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
December 5, 2018 Other
March 2020 Other
May 2021 Other
December 2018 Other
January 2015 Other
December 2020 Other
2015 and 2020 Other
2023-01-27 Publication

Why: She told the court of another alleged incident when she was staying in Portarlington on another occasion when a man assaulted her because she was sick and unable to perform. 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 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Vailones Fidelis

Defendant

Plea: Not guilty