Five people were arrested as part of ‘Operation Quest’.
Five people have been arrested during an investigation into a number of recent robberies and assaults on sex workers.
Four of the five males, aged from 18 to 37 years, are currently detained for questioning under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at Garda Stations in Dublin.
Four males were arrested at three separate addresses, while a fifth was arrested on foot of a bench warrant and is now before the District Court.
The Operation was conducted by Gardaí from the Garda National Protective Services Bureau (GNPSB), along with units from Dublin Metropolitan South Central, Western and Northern Divisions, and Longford/Roscommon Divisions.
The Sex Workers’ Alliance Ireland recently condemend the current legislation, while calling for a reform when the law is reviewed in 2020.
They said: “The 2017 law, which is due for review in early 2020, should be scrapped. It should be replaced by legislation that decriminalises sex work and to provide labour law, health and safety guarantees instead.”
“We need assurances from the Gardaí that if workers who have been working together for safety are attacked they will not be prosecuted under brothel-keeping laws. We need removal of brothel-keeping laws that mean that workers can work together safely.”
Anyone with information regarding these incidents is being asked to contact the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.
A list of victim support groups can also be found here.
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