An Irish man based in Cyprus has appeared in court today charged with organising prostitution in the Dublin region.
Paul Humphreys was arrested on Saturday night following Garda raids on four premises in the city. The arrest came as part of Operation Quest, the Garda investigation into prostitution in the Dublin area.
Mr Humphreys (62) was charged with organising prostitution in the Dublin region under Section Nine of the Criminal Law Sexual Offences Act 1993. He made no reply to the charges.
Garda Deirdre Conway told Dublin District Court Mr Humphreys was residing in Cyprus and had an airline ticket to return to the island when he was arrested.
"He is a very wealthy individual. He was in possession of €30,000 when arrested," she said.
The court heard that Mr Humphreys had told gardaí that there was over €600,000 in an account in his name in Cyprus.
Garda Conway said Mr Humphreys, who was originally from Cork, held a British passport, which gardaí now possessed.
Insp Pat Lordan of Store Street Garda station objected to the granting of bail to Mr Humphreys. He said Mr Humphreys had not lived in Ireland for at least five or six years and was running quite a large business in Cyprus.
"He claims disability benefit at an address in Portmarnock ,but he does not reside at that address either. I've talked to the man living there, and he is a friend of Mr Humphreys," he said.
Judge William Early granted bail on condition that Mr Humphreys entered into his own bond of €50,000, with half of this sum to be lodged. He said an independent surety of €100,000 would also be required, with half of this to be lodged.
Under further bail conditions, Humphreys must sign on twice daily at the Bridewell Garda station, agree not to apply for a new British or Irish passport, and notify the Garda if he moves from his current address.
Judge Early remanded him in custody with consent to bail and ordered him to appear at Cloverhill District Court on Thursday.