A CO Down man who admitted running a network of brothels in Dublin has had his sentencing adjourned until Friday.
Mark McCormick (26), Ballaghbeg Park, Newcastle, was described as being “at the top of the ladder” in an organised prostitution ring that spanned Dublin city. He pleaded guilty to seven counts of acting or assisting in the management of a brothel at six locations in Dublin city centre on various dates between November 6th, 2005, and April 3rd, 2006.
Duane Killen (37), Annalong, Newry, Co Down, was given a suspended sentence last March for his role in renting Dublin apartments to be used as brothels.
Det Garda Larry Duggan told Sean Guerin BL, prosecuting, that gardaí raided a number of premises, including apartments on Bachelors Walk and at Herbert Park, and placed several people under surveillance, including McCormick.
On March 8th, 2006, McCormick was brought to Store Street Garda station after he was seen having lunch with Mr Killen.
During an interview with McCormick, gardaí obtained a key for an apartment at the Gasworks building on South Lotts Road, which Det Garda Duggan described as the “nerve centre” of the operation. At the apartment, gardaí found a laptop logged on to an Irish escorts website.
Det Garda Duggan said the laptop contained a manual with instructions on how to run a brothel, which was saved under the moniker “Bible”.
One of the spreadsheets indicated that takings of €25,000 were recorded for the month of January. Fingerprints found on the laptop matched McCormick’s.
Judge Tony Hunt remanded McCormick on continuing bail until sentencing next Friday and directed he surrender his passport.