A 39-year-old mother of two has been remanded in custody for sentence after she was today found guilty of seven counts relating to prostitution and brothel keeping in Cork city following a four day trial.
Caroline O'Leary with an address at Scartbarry, Watergrasshill, Co Cork had denied a total of 69 counts of organising prostitution and brothel keeping at addresses at John Street and Grafton Street in Cork on various dates between January 26th 2006 and May 24th, 2007.
Today, following some four hours and 20 minutes of deliberation, the all male jury at Cork Circuit Criminal Court found O'Leary not guilty on 43 counts, couldn't reach agreement on a further 19 but guilty on seven counts.
The jury found O'Leary guilty by a majority verdict of 11-1 of three counts of acting and assisting in the management of a brothel at Grafton Street, a fourth charge in relation to Grafton Street by a 10-2 majority and three similar charges in relation to the premises on John Street by 11-1.
Judge Sean O Donnabhain said that it was a serious matter and he proposed remanding O'Leary in custody until May 12th for sentence but he indicated that his decision to remand her in custody would not prejudice whatever sentence he decides to impose.
O'Leary's partner, Tony Linnane (53) of the same address in Watergrasshill had already pleaded guilty to 21 counts of organising prostitution and brothel keeping at the same addresses and he had been remanded on bail for sentence on the same date.
A third accused, Julieanne Gibson (41) from Springvale, Old Youghal Road, Cork had also pleaded guilty to five counts of acting or assisting in the managemnet of brothels at John St and Grafton St in Cork in 2006 and been remanded on bail for sentencing on the same date.
The state had entered a nolle prosequi in relation to a fourth accused, Robert Healy (49) of Mervue Lawn, Ballyvolane, Cork who had denied six counts of organising prostitution and six counts of brothel keeping at both the Grafton Street and John Street premises in 2006.
During the trial, O'Leary's counsel, Tom Creed told the jury that O'Leary's partner, Linnane had already pleaded guilty to similar charges and that he had made "significant payments" to CAB after they pursued him over his involvement in prostitution and brothels in Cork.
Linnane took to the witness box during O'Leary's trial and told the jury that he didn't speak to her about the brothels in Cork while he also said she had no involvement in the running of 11 legally operated adult sex stores that he owned around the country.
"I did not discuss it - it was business, I went to work and I came home," said Linnane adding that O'Leary's signature was on a purchase document for the Grafton Street brothel because neither he nor his business advisor, Dr Michael Grimes could attend at the time to sign it.
Prosecution counsel, Marjorie Farrelly SC read into evidence statements from five women who had worked at the brothels in which they told of how they provided sexual services, the rates for the various services and how they had to give half of what they earned to Linnane.
