Four Brazilian nationals in court over international prostitution probe

Tom Tuite

Three Brazilian men and a woman have been remanded in custody on charges connected to an international probe into organised prostitution, brothel keeping, and money laundering in Ireland.

Their arrests last week follow a law enforcement operation involving officers from Europol and the Brazilian Federal Police assisting the Garda National Protective Services Bureau (GNPSB) in Dublin.

All four, who live in central Dublin, are charged with money laundering involving alleged crime proceeds in various amounts ranging from €29,000 to just over €1.6 million.

The three men have additional charges for brothel keeping, organised prostitution at various locations in the State, mainly in Dublin 1, Dublin 7, and Dublin 8, from March 19th, 2024, to date.

Bruna da Silveira, 25, of Reilly Avenue, Dublin 8,

Vanuti Conrado Skierzynski, 35, and 33-year-old Renato Gomes da Silva, both with the same address at Capel Street, and Gabriel do Nascimento, aged 26, who lives at Parnell Street, appeared at Dublin District Court on Monday facing bail objections.

Judge Jones heard a breakdown of crime proceeds: Mr Skierzynski allegedly had €1,674,934, Ms da Silveira €737,000, Mr do Nascimento €111,000, and Mr da Silva had €29,000.

However, they have deferred making applications until their next hearing and were remanded in custody to appear again on September 15.

GNPSB Detective Sergeants Andrew Lambe, John Ryan, Alan Lynch, and Michael McGrath told the court they all “made no reply” when charged. The court also heard that further charges could follow.

The defence, solicitors Colleen Gildernew and Niall O’Connor and barristers Ciara Murray and Karl Monahan confirmed that their clients were not seeking bail at his point but would do so on the next date.

They did not address the court or indicate pleas and listened to the proceedings with the assistance of Portuguese interpreters.

All four were granted legal aid.