A couple have been remanded on bail after they were charged with a number of offences following a Garda investigation into organised prostitution in Cork city.
Tony Linanne (56) and Caroline O’Leary (38), both with addresses at Scartbarry, Watergrasshill, Co Cork, were brought before Cork District Court this afternoon where they were each charged with 42 offences relating to prostitution.
Both were charged with 21 counts of brothel keeping and 21 counts of organising prostitution at addresses at John Street and Grafton Street in Cork on various dates between January 26th 2006 and May 24th, 2007.
Insp Declan O’Sullivan gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution in relation to Mr Linnane who made no reply to the charges.
Det Garda Damian Moloney gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution in relation to Ms O’Leary who similarly made no reply to the charges.
State Solicitor for Cork city, Barry Galvin said gardai had no objection to bail for either accused and he was seeking a remand with consent for both accused to appear again on January 6th.
Judge Con O’Leary remanded Mr Linnane on his own bond of €50,000 and his own cash bail of €5,000 to appear in court again on that date while he remanded Ms O’Leary on her own cash bail of €5,000 to also appear in court on that date.
Mr Galvin said that the DPP had directed that the matter be dealt with on indictment and Insp O’Sullivan told Judge O’Leary that a book of evidence would be ready to be served on both accused when they next appear in court in January.
Today’s court appearance brings to four the number of people who have been charged in relation to prostitution in Cork in recent months and follows the appearance earlier this year of two others charged with similar offences.
Last October, Robert Healy (49) from Mervue Lawn, Ballyvolane, Cork was charged with six counts of organising prostitution and six counts of keeping a brothel at premises at Grafton Street and John Street in Cork in November 2006.
Julieanne Gibson (41) from Springvale, Old Youghal Road was charged with 21 counts of organising prostitution and 21 counts of keeping a brothel at the same premises over an eighteen month period from January 2006.
Earlier this week, gardai served books of evidence against both Mr Healy and Ms Gibson at Cork District Court and Judge Tim Lucey returned both for trial in February at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.