Following searches at three addresses in the West Dublin area on November 19, 2019, in relation to robberies and assaults on sex workers, three men are due to appear before a special sitting of Roscommon District Court tomorrow morning, Thursday November 21, 2019, at 10.30am.
A fourth man arrested in relation to the Garda Operation was released without charge and a file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Garda Press Office
As part of ‘Operation Quest’ lead by Garda National Protective Services Bureau (GNPSB) into recent robberies and assaults on sex workers, a search operation was carried out on Tuesday, 19th November 2019. During the operation, three addresses were searched under warrant in the West Dublin area and four males were arrested.
All four 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. A fifth male 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.
An Garda Síochána is continuing to appeal to any sex worker who may have been subject to a similar attack to immediately report the incident. Anyone who comes forward will be treated confidentially with compassion and sensitivity.
An Garda Síochána is also appealing to any person with information on these callous, targeted attacks to please contact Gardaí to assist in bringing these dangerous attackers to justice.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.
A list of victim support groups are available through the Garda website.
Garda Press Office
Detectives attached to ‘Operation Quest’ team at the Garda National Protective Services Bureau, are liaising with local Detective Units in relation to a number of recent attacks on Sex Workers primarily in the Dublin Area. Since the middle of October 2019 seven (7) attacks have occurred nationwide on sex workers advertising sexual services on online sites. Investigation into these attacks are at an advanced stage.
The motive for these attacks appears to be monetary gain, although violence has been used and they have been terrifying incidents for the injured parties (female and male) involved. On each occasion an online appointment is made, but when the ‘client’ arrives the sex worker is attacked and robbed by a number of males.
An Garda Síochána is working closely with all the injured parties involved in these incidents. We are treating these victims with the utmost sensitivity and confidentiality.
An Garda Síochána is appealing to any sex worker who may have been subject to a similar attack to immediately report the incident. You will be treated confidentially with compassion and sensitivity.
An Garda Síochána is appealing to any person with information on these callous, targeted attacks to please contact Gardaí to assist in bringing these dangerous attackers to justice.
An Garda Síochána can be contacted via the Garda Confidential Number 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.
A list of victim support groups can be found here.
