4 Brazilian nationals, who stand accused of involvement in organised prostitution across Dublin City, have been refused bail at Dublin District Court.
The four accused , Bruna da Silveira (25), of Reilly Avenue, Dublin 8, Vanuti Conrado Skierzynski (35), Renato Gomes da Silva (33) formerly of Capel St. Dublin 1, and Gabriel do Nascimento (26) who lives at Parnell Street were aided by two Portuguese interpreters for the lengthy bail hearing.
The proceeds of the alleged criminal activity was broken down in the following terms: Mr Skierzynski allegedly was in possession of monies totalling €1,674,934, Ms da Silveira €737,000, Mr do Nascimento €111,000, and Mr da Silva is alleged to have been in possession of €29,000 within 8 weeks of entering the State.
The money was allegedly moved through the accounts of the accused overseas, as well as deposits being made by both the trafficked women, and clients.
The deposits were made in cash and electronic transfers with AIB, Revolut, and Transfer Wise banks all allegedly used to facilitate the organisation.
Investigators claim that the gang used the common travel area with the UK to bring the trafficked women into Ireland while avoiding immigration checkpoints.
The alleged organised prostitution took place across 10 addresses in Dublin, where the court heard more than one prostitute was operating out of at a time.
In all 29 “vulnerable young women” are believed to have been trafficked from Brazil to work in the sex trade in Ireland.
The court heard that the gang behind the alleged offending is a large “criminal enterprise” which operates “across several continents”.
The investigation involves 60 members of An Garda Síochána as well as the involvement of Interpol, Europol, and the Brazilian Federal Police.
Bruna da Silveira
Detective Sergeant Alan Lynch of the Garda National Protective Services Beaurea gave evidence of the arrest of Bruna da Silveira who is facing 3 counts of money laundering.
Sgt Lynch told the court that da Silveira was also working as a prostitute, and that 2 of the 10 properties were allegedly still being used as brothels when the suspects were arrested on the 3rd of September last.
He said that she played a “vital role in prostitution” in Ireland and has “profited from vulnerable victims”, and is “still an active member” of the gang, having been interviewed on 12 occasions.
Objecting to bail, Sgt. Lynch said that the accused has no status in Ireland that would allow her to earn a legitimate living in Ireland and that it was the state’s belief that she would “regress immediately to reoffending” and that the gang has access to individuals capable of furnishing them with “high quality” false travel documents.
Arguing for bail in respect of his client, Barry Lygsaght BL, said that da Silveira herself may be a “victim” of trafficking as she has told Gardaí during interview that she too was working in the sex trade, however Sgt. Lynch said that she had “numerous opportunity” to mention this to Gardaí, but had not done so to date.
He said that were she a victim of the alleged trafficking, a “separate investigation” would be necessary to establish this.
Lynch alleged that she had “moved around the state” to “numerous different premises” where organised prostitution was allegedly talking place and that she had “been offending” since her arrival in Ireland in May last year.
The detective refused to accept as satisfactory an offer of accommodation on behalf of the accused at an address in Blackwood Square after a friend of da Silveira, who is facing a number of drug charges in Dún Laoghaire, offered to allow her to reside at his address on bail, should the court agree.
Gabriel do Nascimento
Detective Sergeant Michael McGrath of the Garda National Protective Services Bureau gave evidence in relation to Gabriel do Nascimento who is facing 1 charge of organised prostitution, 7 charges of brothel keeping, and 2 charges of money laundering.
He is accused of having control of 29 prostitutes operating out of 10 addresses at 1 Rugby Road, Dublin 6, 21/22 Rileys Ave Dolphin’s Barn Dublin 8, Errigal House, Donnybrook Dublin 4, an address on Baggot Street Lower, Dublin 2, an address at Thomas Town House, Spencer Dock Dublin 1, an address at Swords Street, Stoneybatter Dublin 7, and Kings Inn Court Phibsboro Dublin 7 where the victims were allegedly “sexually exploited” as he “played a central role” in advancing the organisation.
do Nascimento was described as being part of the “upper tier of the criminal organisation” and is believed to have been “still actively engaged” up until the date of his arrest.
7 phones were allegedly found in his possession that “can be linked to over 20 women,” the court heard.
He was recently arrested in Belfast on suspicions of organisation prostitution while in the company of two women, while no charges have been brought.
Renato Gomes da Silva
Detective Sergeant Sean Ryan of the Garda National Protective Services Bureau gave evidence of the charges facing Renato Gomes da Silva.
He is charged with 1 count of organising prostitution, 1 count of brothel keeping, and one count of money laundering.
The court heard that da Silva “was in control” of 12 accounts hosted on Escort Ireland, and that he “answered phones” to clients. There were 20 mobile phones in the room he was arrested from.
In relation to the charge of brothel keeping, the court heard that there was a “live monitor” between his place of residence and the alleged brothel in Dolphin’s Barn.
He is facing the possibility of “further serious charges” and played “a vital role” in the alleged activities and gave “clear instructions” to the “individuals working as prostitutes”.
Vanuti Conrado Skierzynski
Detective Sergeant Andrew Lamb of the Garda National Protective Services Bureau gave evidence in relation to Vanuti Conrado Skierzynski.
He is charged with 6 counts of brothel keeping across 6 of the 10 properties involved, 3 counts of money laundering, as well as charges related to human trafficking.
Sgt. Lamb told the court that Skierzynski was “Involved in the leasing of multiple properties” which were “leased under false pretences” which involved deceiving the owners to the true intended use.
Lamb said that the accused was “responsible for directing” the activities of the trafficked women and that “prostitution was proven in all the properties” involved.
He was interviewed on 13 occasions over 5 days, the court heard, but made “no admission”.
The accused “recently married a Brazilian national with Italian citizenship in absentia,” Sgt. Lamb said.
A “substantial number of serious charges” are expected to be brought in respect of the accused who has “access to resources to get high quality false documents” and gave “clear instructions” to the prostitutes via a WhatsApp group, the court heard.
All four of the accused were refused bail with Judge Gerard Jones remarking that“Young female victims” had been “Taken to this country to work as prostitutes” and that the alleged criminal activity had seen “lives taken apart for the monetary gain of other people”
All four were remanded in custody to appear again on the 29th of September.