Dave (not his real name) says men have been paying him for sex since he was 15. Legally he is no longer a child and says he now treats what he does as his job. He gets between £20 and £30 for oral sex and £70 for full sex. If a "punter" wants to take him home he will charge him £100 for the night but he could also steal any cash he finds around the house or apartment.
He works in Dundalk and meets men by arrangement. He knows women in the town who are also "on the game" but says he thinks no more than 10 young people of both sexes are involved. There are also a number of young women between 18 and 22. However, he knows of 14- and 16-year-old girls who do it on an irregular basis. He denies he would bring any young person with him to show them how he operates but suspects that a 14-year-old boy has been going with men but is too ashamed to tell anyone.
"I don't think the problem has got worse. I think it quietened down a bit - the girls are saying it." He estimates there are about 20 clients aged from the early 20s to about 60. "Some come from the country and you meet them one night and they arrange to meet you another night. Out on the streets you wouldn't know who is going to come. Last weekend one punter followed us and I went with him and he wouldn't pay . . . you'd agree a price beforehand."
He says there are men having sex in the grounds of a local school late at night while others drive to quiet roads outside the town or to disused premises.
He goes out two nights of the weekend but says Saturday is the best night. He can earn up to £300 in one night and "I will go out as long as I get money." He never suggests using condoms. "I wish I had another job. I see it as a job. The money is good and I won't give it up. It is like going to work at night."