A man who pleaded guilty to operating two brothels in Dublin city centre has been ordered to do 240 hours' community service or face six months in prison.
Mr Brian O'Byrne (36), of Templeview Row, off Malahide Road, Co Dublin, had previously pleaded guilty to the charges of operating a brothel at Parnell Street and at North Lotts. He had donated £5,000 to the court poor box at an earlier court hearing and had been bound to the peace for two years.
That hearing was told that Mr O'Byrne had made about £19,000 over a four-month period from the two brothels, which had been raided by gardai last March after complaints from local residents and businesses. The hearing was also told that Mr O'Byrne intended to open a delicatessen in St Stephen's Green in the city.
At that hearing, it had been recommended that Mr O'Byrne do 240 hours' community service or six months in prison, and the case was adjourned to the Dublin District Court yesterday for a report on Mr O'Byrne's suitability for community service.
There had been some reservations in the report about this. The court was told that Mr O'Byrne was able, capable and willing to do suitable community service work. He had always been anxious that the offences with which he had been charged should be decriminalised, had been very frank with community services but had pleaded guilty to the charge.
He was prepared to do the work and abide by the conditions, the court was told.