Trial over trafficking and prostitution in Laois and other counties collapses

The trial of two women accused of trafficking women to Portarlington and other towns around Ireland for prostitution has collapsed. 

The human trafficking and prostitution trial collapsed “due to unforeseen circumstances” but is expected to begin again before a new jury later this month.

It had previously heard evidence from one woman who said she had to work as a prostitute in Portarlington, where she alleges she was assaulted by a client.

She outlined the situation in Portarlington when a client allegedly demanded his money back and beat her up after the service was provided. It was this incident that led to her decision to always keep a knife by her bed.  

She said she became very fearful following the incident in Portarlington. “I would always keep a knife close to the bed so I could protect myself.” 

“To defend myself I got a knife and tried to get him out of the apartment. During this time, I called Lisa.”

“I had a knife in one hand and the phone in the other. She told me not to do anything to the client and I should let him leave,” the woman said.

“She was very worried about the client. She later told me I should never react when a client wanted to beat me or wanted the money back,” the complainant continued.  She told the court Lisa was not worried about her.

The trial of Natalia Nogueira Da Silva and Ivanilce (Lisa) Vailones Fidelis before Dublin Circuit Criminal Court collapsed on day ten. It had been expected to take six weeks.

In opening the trial, the jury were told that the State alleges that the accused women had trafficked two vulnerable Brazilian women for the purposes of exploiting them and taking advantage of their vulnerability “to such an extent as to cause the trafficked person to have no real or acceptable alternative but to submit to being trafficked”.

Judge Patricia Ryan told the panel today that “due to unforeseen circumstances this case cannot proceed before yourselves and I am now going to discharge you. You are free to go”.

She told the jurors that she understood that they would like to see the trial “to its conclusion” but said it will go ahead before another jury shortly. She advised them not to discuss the trial with anyone “to ensure a fair trial” before the next jurors.

Ms Vailones Fidelis, 46, of Castle Manor, Racecourse Road, Roscommon, denied all 18 charges against her, including two counts of human trafficking, one count of organising prostitution and money laundering charges on dates between 2015 and 2020.

Ms Da Silva, 32, of Cairn Hill View, Drumlish, Co Longford pleaded not guilty to one count of human trafficking a woman at an unknown location within the State, on dates between March 31, 2019, and May 18, 2019.

She  pleaded guilty in front of the jury to one count of organising prostitution at an unknown location within the State on dates between December 5, 2018, and May 18, 2019.

She has also admitted one count of facilitating the entry into the State of a person she knew to be illegal on March 31, 2019, at Dublin Airport, along with 33 counts of money laundering the proceeds of crime on dates between March 2020 and May 2021.

The case was adjourned to Friday this week when it is expected it will be given a new trial. Judge Ryan thanked the jurors for their service and the attention they had given the trial. date.