Woman on trial for running brothel
A Chinese woman has gone on trial for running a brothel in Dublin city centre.
Junkiu Hua (aged 45) pleaded not guilty at Dublin District Court to managing a brothel at her three bedroom flat at 114 Thomas Street, on dates between April 2 and April 18 last year, contrary to the Sexual Offences Act, 1993.
Judge Dermot Dempsey heard today that Ms Hua's apartment was searched after gardaí carried out a surveillance operation and took statements from seven men who said they had received sexual services at her address.
Witness Brendan Clarke, told the court that he was “going for a Chinese massage.” He said it cost €40 for a half hour and €60 for a full hour massage. He said a Chinese female brought him into a room with a massage table.
He told State solicitor Dermot O'Neill he was sure that there was more than one person in the apartment at the time. Mr Clarke said he asked for a one hour massage and took off his clothes and lay on the massage table.
He said “extras” were discussed but “when I had the massage I decided not to go ahead with it.” He told the court that after the massage he got dressed and left.
Mr Clarke was declared a hostile witness by Judge Dempsey after the court heard that his evidence differed from a statement he gave to gardaí in which he said he gave €80 for a “hand job” referring to masturbation, from a woman named Tina.
In reply, Mr Clarke said “I remember that I did give her €60 and when she came to the masturbation part I did not feel good about it and I did not go through with it and just gave the girl the €20.”
Another witness, Brendan Mahon, said he had a bad back and went there for a massage. “If you asked for one girl in particular, she did full intercourse,” he said.
He told Mr O'Neill that he rang a number and went to the address and paid €80 for “a massage and a hand job.”
In cross examination with defence solicitor Peter Mullan, Mr Clarke agreed that he had told Garda Cillian Blake, who stopped him on leaving, that “I just received a massage from Tina.”
He agreed that there were standard massage tables in the rooms in the apartment.
Mr Tommy Bruce, the third state witness told Judge Dempsey, “I rang the number and arranged to go and have a massage at 114 Thomas Street.” He said the defendant answered the door and he was ushered into a room where he paid “€80 for a massage including a hand job from a beautiful Asian woman about €30.”
When asked if there had been discussions beforehand he said “You know why you are there and she knows why you are there.” “Its not rocket science,” he continued, adding that videos were also played on a laptop computer if asked for.
“I said I would have €80s worth, a hand job and a normal massage, the woman in question was fantastic,” Mr Bruce also said in evidence.
He agreed with Mr Mullan, defending, that it happened between him and the masseuse in a room where the door was closed.
The trial continues.
