Courts / Dublin / Report

International gang leader's partner jailed for helping run Brazilian brothel empire

Date
2026-07-31
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

Bruna Da Silveira, the partner of the head of an international crime gang, has been sentenced to three years in jail for her role in running a brothel-keeping organisation in Dublin. The court heard that Da Silveira, who arrived in Ireland on a student visa, was involved in managing the brothels and facilitating the movement of nearly 30 young Brazilian sex workers. She was found to have €737,000 in proceeds from prostitution passing through her accounts between 2024 and 2025. The court heard that the women were subjected to poor working conditions and were only allowed one day off a month. Da Silveira pleaded guilty to participating in the activities of a criminal organisation and was sentenced to three years in prison. Judge Elma Sheahan noted that Da Silveira's involvement in the criminal organisation and the trans-national movement of money were aggravating factors. She reduced the headline sentence of five years to three and a half years, taking into account mitigating factors such as Da Silveira's guilty plea and cooperation with gardaí.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: International gang leader's partner jailed for helping run Brazilian brothel empire. Charges or matters: participating or contributing to the activities of a criminal organisation on dates between July 10, 2024 and September 9, 2025. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

Case subjects

Da Silveira

Defendant

Charges: participating or contributing to the activities of a criminal organisation on dates between July 10, 2024 and September 9, 2025 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: The judge set a headline sentence of five years, which she reduced to three and a half years, taking mitigating factors into account.

Places mentioned

Secondary Mention
Residence
Court Venue
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court

Topics

Stage Sentence

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