'This is misogyny' Laois businesswoman calls out clients who request 'sexual services'

A Laois businesswoman running a holistic therapy centre has revealed the shockingly frequent times that male customers ask  for "sexual services" when booking a massage.

Registered and Accredited Psychotherapist Marie Byrne runs the Glosna House support centre in Wolfhill.

An established Laois business for 15 years in a nature setting described as a "haven of peace and tranquility", its offers alternative and holistic therapies by a team of highly trained, professional women.

However the owner and her staff are facing incidents of inappropriate requests "several times a week".

Ms Byrne took to social media to describe the problem, and she told the Leinster Express / Laois Live just how bad it is, with men regularly asking for "sexual favours".

"The messages are increasing. Before I might get a call but I'd be quick to identify if it was a genuine male looking for treatment or one looking for a sexual favour. But recently a male booked in with staff and then he propositioned the female therapist alone in the treatment room. Yesterday a man asked us to send pictures of the therapist. 

"I have rung Laois Gardaí before to complain of sexual harassment, sometimes they ring back the man to frighten him, but unless he is on the property there is little can be done.

"I don't want any of my team in any uncomfortable situation. I went public because I've had enough. I really want people to know that if anyone requests this from Glosna House, I'll publicly shame them. Zero tolerance," the businesswoman said.

It is a problem for many female massage practitioners in Ireland, she reports.

"I have a colleague who has a Thai massage business, all wonderful professional therapists but they are propositioned five or six times a day, to the point that the owner doesn't want her daughters to take over the business when she retires."

Since Ms Byrne posted her statement on social media, other therapists have come forward, one saying they now "never answer the phone unless it's a saved number".

"I've been contacted by lots of other therapists to thank me, saying it's about time someone said it. It's a huge problem, regardless of the nationality of the therapists. The fact that they are female is the issue. It's misogyny at its best," Marie Byrne said.

The Glosna House owner's social media post is as follows:

"Several times every week, men message us asking if we 'include sexual services' in these services. See exhibit A," she said.

She shared a screen shot of a text including the texter's mobile number which reads 'can I ask is this just purely massage only or is there happy endings too? Apologies I don't wish to be rude'.

The business owner lays it straight to such clients.

"Let me be absolutely clear: This is harassment. This is misogyny. This is utterly unacceptable. It is 2025. Women working as professional therapists should not have to put up with this degrading, sexist nonsense. Our work is about care, healing, and respect - not about fulfilling anyone’s fantasies.

"To the men who send these messages: Don't - You are not welcome at Glosna.

"To our Glosna community: thank you for standing with us, and for treating our therapists with the dignity and respect they deserve. At Glosna House, there is zero tolerance for harassment. Always," she writes.

Read also: Laois Gardaí investigate reported Electric Picnic ticket scams

Ms Byrne warns offending requesters that they cannot hide their identity.

"For those who think they can hide behind burner phones, fake accounts, or anonymous numbers, don’t be so foolish. In 2025, tracing digital harassment is easier than you think. You are not invisible. I see you and today is not the day and I am not the one ..."