Abstracts: June 2003 (Page One)

June 2003
Clare Taylor on "victims" of lap dancing
Yoke Magazine
Clare Taylor discusses the Operation Quest raids on lapdancing clubs that occurred in June 2003.  Questions are raised regarding the motivation of the Gardai and the treatment of the dancers.  The suggestion is made that Operation Quest was "targeted at the sensibilities of the 'moral majority', who fundamentally believe that any woman who earns her living by taking her clothes off for men is by definition a prostitute."

Official reasons for the raid were listed as:

the Continuity IRA had failed in its attempt to muscle in on this 'lucrative fast-growing industry' in Limerick and Dublin,

Strings of Leeson Street is run by Mary Cullen, wife of convicted murderer John Cullen.

• http://www.theyoke.net/articles/the_yoke_ponders_004.shtml

June 1, 2003

Sex in the cities faces red light
Scotland on Sunday 
Jeremy Watson 
This article analyses the actions of Scottish leaders pertaining to new national regulations for lap-dancing clubs.  The author equates this decision with other issues including the rejection of prostitution tolerance zones, the banning of Monty Python’s "Life of Brian", the prohibition of the ‘Exotica’ trade fair and the lack of permission granted to a Royal Academy of Arts touring workshop to employ nude models for art students.

Statements opposing lap-dancing clubs by Jim Coleman, Glasgow City Council’s deputy leader and Sandra White, MSP are quoted.

A spokeswoman for the Scottish Executive said the taskforce has not made up its mind to place lap-dancing applications under the same controls as sex shops, however "insiders" claim the decision to create a special license for lap-dancing clubs has already been made.

Profits for the lapdancing industry in the UK are estimated to be £300m a year.

Other details:

• Glasgow City Council will become the chief objector to plans by Recardo Patrick's Manchester company "EPC International" for a new lapdancing club planned ifor the McCormick Building, which backs on to the Mas nightclub in Royal Exchange Square.
   
  • The council's formal objection says that "lap-dancing clubs are a "form of commercial sexual exploitation which is felt to demean and exploit women".
     
• Glasgow intends to oppose all applications for lapdancing clubs and revoke the licenses of current clubs when they are presented for renewal.
   
• Sandra White and others have proposed amending the Civic Government of Scotland Act to
  • require a special license for lap-dancing venues and to allow councils to restrict the number of clubs
     
  • extend the range of objectors to include women's groups (currently objections are only allowed from local residents, businesses, churches, councils and the police.
     
• In 2002, Spearmint Rhino's plans for 2 clubs in Glasgow were rejected by the licensing board.

June 6, 2003
Popular city centre lap dancing clubs raided in Garda swoop
According to this article:
Gardai raided Angels and Strings lapdancing clubs in Dublin. A thorough search of both buildings took place shortly before midnight.  The raids follow the closure of the Barclay Club (April 28) due to illegal sex acts at the club.

The gardai asked the staff where they were from and what they were doing.  They apparently did not question customers.  Witnesses said several lapdancers were taken away in Garda vans to Pearse St. Station.

Moloney, Eugene and Caroline Crawford. "Popular city centre lap dancing clubs raided in Garda swoop" Irish Independent 6 June 2003. <http://www.unison.ie/irish_independent/stories.php3?ca=9&si=
988158&issue_id=9309>

June 6, 2003
Dublin lap-dancing clubs raided
According to this article:
At least two Dublin lapdancing clubs were raided overnight by the Gardaí under the Illegal Immigrants Trafficking Act.  A number of arrests were made.  The operation was ongoing at the time of this article. 

"Dublin lap-dancing clubs raided" u.tv 6 June 2004 

June 6, 2003
Irish lap-dance clubs raided 
According to this article:
Over 100 people were arrested in police raids of 10 lapdancing clubs in Ireland. Club in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway and Dundalk were searched in a hunt for illegal immigrants under the "Illegal Immigrants (Trafficking) Act 2000.  A number of people were charged, a number have had their aliens registration status withdrawn, and a number of others are having their status reviewed.  A gun, cash, drugs and documents were seized.

The first lapdancing club opened in Dublin in the mid-1990s and they have spread to most of the main provincial centres.  The dancers are mostly foreign women working on an international circuit. The Ruhama Women's Project has repeatedly called for the clubs to be banned.

"Irish lap-dance clubs raided" News24, South Africa.  6 June 2003

June 6, 2003
Lap-dancing club raids across Ireland
According to this article:
Further details of the Gardáí raids on lapdancing clubs (originally thought to be limited to Dublin) emerged.  In Cork,  The Great Escape was raided. Witnesses there claim a dozen women were "frog marched" into Garda vans.  Gardai said that in all, over 100 people were arrested and a number were charged under the aliens order. Quantities of cash, drugs, documentation and a firearm were seized. 

"Lap-dancing club raids across Ireland" u-tv  6 June 2003

June 6, 2003
More than 100 arrested in lapdancing raids
According to this article:
Raids of lapdancing clubs were made under "Operation Quest" and  resulted in more than 100 arrests.  Then clubs were raided in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway and Dundalk. Staff were questioned about visa documentation. Drugs, cash and a firearm were seized.

A number of people were charged under the Alien's Order, others had their Alien's Registration status withdrawn, others will have their status reviewed.  Ten were charged with offences under the Aliens Act, 71 were found to be working illegally in breach of the Employment Permits Act 2003.  22 cases are under review.  One man was charged with a drugs related offence. Files are expected to be completed for the Director of Public Prosecution.

The Ruhama Women's Project welcomed the raids.  Their position is that lapdancing clubs are brothels in all but name.

"More than 100 arrested in lapdancing raids" RTE 6 June 2003. <http://www.rte.ie/news/2003/0606/raids.html>

June 6, 2003
More than 100 detained in raids on lap-dancing clubs
ireland.com
According to this article:
Garda raids on lapdancing clubs on this date resulted in over 100 arrests and a number of charges.  10 clubs in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway and Dundalk were raided as part of an operation to crack down on the use of immigrant workers, conducted under the Illegal Immigrants (Trafficking) Act 2000 and related legislation.  The operation was headed by Assistant Commissioner Kevin Carty. Cash, drugs, documentation and a firearm were also seized.

June 6, 2003
Scores arrested in lap-dancing raids 
Irish Examiner
According to this article:
At least 10 lap-dancing clubs in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick and Dundalk were raided shortly before midnight on June 5 as part of an ongoing investigation into illegal immigration. Over 100 people were arrested and a number charged under the 1935 Aliens Act. The clubs were shut down and searched by gardaí working under the direction of Assistant Commissioner Kevin Carty. A firearm was also recovered. 

June 6, 2003
Ban lap-dancing, says women's group 
online.ie 
According to this article:
The Ruhama Women's Project, which has called in the past for lap-dancing to be banned, stated that  the Government should act immediately following the June 5/6th raids on lap-dancing clubs.
Over 100 people, mostly women from Eastern Europe, were detained as part of a crackdown on illegal immigration at 10 clubs.
Ruhama's director Maura Connolly said the organisation was fearful that criminal gangs are smuggling women into the country, forcing them to work in the Irish sex industry. 

June 6, 2003
Limerick Lapdancer appears in court
U. TV, UK 
According to this article:
A Lap-Dancer working in Limerick city has appeared in court after being arrested overnight. She was arrested under the illegal immigration ...   (details to follow)

June 6, 2003
"Republic's Lap Dance Raids of Direct Relevance to Northern Ireland"
Press Statement from Rev Martin Smyth MP

"Rev Martin Smyth MP has welcomed today's raids on lap dancing clubs in the Republic and has said that they are of relevance to Northern Ireland, particularly because of the problems there have been with a lap dance club in the South Belfast MP's constituency. The Ulster Unionist President said:

"I welcome the raids on lap dancing clubs across the Republic as part of a crackdown on illegal immigration and trafficking. It has obviously been a well co-ordinated and planned operation which has taken some time to bring to fruition. However, we should not just be observing it from afar as mere onlookers because it is of real relevance to Northern Ireland."

"When workers from the Movie Star Café were arrested by UK Immigration Services last December, they were found to be here illegally and two of them told that they had 'entered the UK (Northern Ireland) overland via the Irish Republic on a number of occasions since 1st July (2002) and had not seen an Immigration Officer on arrival.' I was thus concerned that foreign girls could be working between clubs both here and in the Republic. There are likely to be strong links in this industry with the same people behind the clubs in the Republic possibly having an interest in clubs here."

"I tabled a question to the Home Office in March enquiring what discussions there had been with the authorities in the Republic on preventing the movement of sex trade workers over the border. To my amazement the Minister replied that he was not aware that there had been any. However, today's raids have now vindicated my concerns and I will be going back to the Home Office to ask them to now initiate such discussions. I will also be contacting the PSNI to see if they can work with the Garda to ascertain whether any of those detained today have been across the border and working in Northern Ireland."

"With today's raids highlighting the problem of trafficking, and the ease in which illegal immigrants could come across the border, we need to guard against this issue in Northern Ireland. Unfortunately, government has not taken this issue as seriously as was necessary so far but perhaps today's events will underline the need for much greater action."

June 7, 2003
Concerns on sex trade workers
Belfast Telegraph
Gary Grattan

This article quotes Rev. Martin Smyth's press statement as above.
 

June 7, 2003
A lap-dancer's story
Irish Times 
According to this article:
Alex, a Hungarian former lap-dancer (Club Lapello, Limerick), claims she was caught up the Operation Quest raid on Club Lapello, Dublin while visiting a friend employed there.  She complained that she was brought into Kevin St. station, finger-printed, photographed, questioned for several hours and that the gardam had confiscated all her identity and travel documents.  She is currently working in an English language school in Dublin.  Alex intends to bring a formal complaint to the gardam about her treatment.

June 7, 2003
Hot on heels of raids, city’s latest club opens its doors  
Irish Examiner 
Dan Buckley
According to this article:
Cork’s latest lapdancing venture, Secrets, was set to open on June 6th, within 24-hours of Operation Quest raids on similar clubs nationwide.   Tom Donegan, marketing manager said they did not expect "this situation" but were looking forward to a full house on opening night.   Donegan is the former manager of Angels lapdancing club also on Leitrim Street where 11 women were questioned during the raids. A garda spokesperson said the investigation into immigration violations had been underway for the past three months.  Files are expected to be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

June 7, 2003
Smuggling gangs forcing women into Irish sex trade
U. TV, UK / Press Association
According to this article:
Following the Operation Quest raids, the Ruhama Women's Project called on the Irish Government to close down all lapdancing clubs and expressed concerns regarding trafficking of foreign women into the clubs.

Maura Connolly said the gardai task was difficult because lap-dancing clubs are legal in Ireland. Many of the women detained during the Operation Quest raids were from Eastern Europe.

June 7, 2003
Lap-dancing cannot shed seedy side 
The Irish Times
Analysis/ It's lucrative, but there is unease about the lap-dancing industry 
Nuala Haughey

Abstract to follow.

June 7, 2003
Lapdancing immigrants clampdown
Irish Examiner
Cormac O’Keeffe
According to this article:

Following the Operation Quest raids,  lapdancing clubs could be hit with heavy penalties for hiring lapdancers who do not have proper work permits. Under the Employment Permits Act 2003, employers can be fined up to €3,000 and/or given a prison sentence not exceeding 12 months. If convicted on indictment before a higher court, they can be fined up to €250,000 and/or imprisoned for up to 10 years.

A detective involved in the operation said that the raids were carried out following complaints that girls were being exploited, and that employers were not complying with the law.

In 2002, the Department of Enterprise suspended indefinitely the issuing of new work permits or the renewal of existing work permits for lapdancers.

Detectives believe many lapdancers are exploiting a loophole in the education system which allows people enrolled in language schools to work for 20 hour and  that a number of these schools are bogus institutions and are being used as a means of supplying lapdancers.

June 7, 2003
Women 'smuggled' into sex trade 
Belfast News Letter
According to this article:
Maura Connolly of the Ruhama Women's Project welcomed the Operation Quest raids on lapdancing clubs and claimed that criminal gangs are smuggling women into the Republic and forcing them to work in the sex industry.  Ruhama called on the Irish government to close down all lapdancing clubs.

June 07, 2003 
101 held after raids on lap-dancing clubs
Ten premises in Dublin, Limerick, Cork, Galway and Dundalk raided in late-night searches under Operation Quest
IRISH TIMES 
According to this article:
The first prosecutions under a new law which makes it illegal for employers to hire undocumented workers are expected to be filed following raids on lapdancing clubs under Operation Quest.

According to the Garda, ten immigrant women were charged with offences under the Aliens Act for being in the State illegally. A further 71 immigrants were found to be working illegally in breach of the Employment Permits Act. Some of these were registered as students and some had work permits which had expired, while others were on tourist visas. One man was charged with a drugs-related offence.

More than E100,000 in cash as well as small quantities of cocaine and cannabis were seized in the raids by gardai from several units, including the Garda National Immigration Bureau, the Criminal Assets Bureau and the fraud and drugs divisions.

Computers and financial records were also seized and follow-up searches were carried out in homes as well as solicitors and accountants offices in Cork and Dublin. 22 cases were still being investigated. The aim of the raids was to establish whether immigrant women working in the clubs were being trafficked into the State as well as being moved around to different clubs in Dublin, Dundalk and Limerick. Under the Employment Permits Act 2003, passed this year, employers found to have hired migrant workers without required work permits face fines of up to E250,000 and 10 years in prison.

June 7, 2003
Crime czars targeted in swoop on lap dance clubs
Irish Independent
Tom Brady Security Editor

Abstract to follow.

June 8, 2003
Raid lapdancers face deportation
Sunday Mirror
According to this article:
Gardai have revealed that over 70 people of the approx. 100 arrested in raids on lapdancing clubs will be deported, Gardai have revealed. Ten people have been charged with offences under the Aliens Act, 71 people have incorrect status and are expected to be deported. Operation Quest was set up to target lapdancing clubs believed to be employing illegal immigrants and had been under way for a couple of months. In total 10 clubs were searched and quantities of drugs, cash and a firearm were seized.

June 8, 2003
INLA, Russian criminals in lap dancing probe
The Post
Barry O'Kelly
According to this article:

Gardai detectives confirmed to the Sunday Business Post that they have launched an investigation into an alleged extortion racket run by the INLA and Russian criminals against Whispers lapdancing club in Dundalk.  Gardai dismissed claims that east European gangsters had taken over the lap dancing scene.

Criminal sources say that the "racketeers" threatened to torch the building when they demanded protection money in May 2003.  Two cars belonging to club associates were burned out a number of days after the threats were issued.

During the Operation Quest operation last week, the offices of solicitors and accountants were also raided and detectives seized legal and bookkeeping files. The gardai are understood to be investigating alleged breaches of anti-prostitution laws, illegal trafficking of people and tax evasion.

June 8, 2003
Sex industry links with Russian mafia prompted lap dance raids
Irish Independent Sunday 
Jim Cusack and Jimmy Guerin

Abstract to follow.
 

June 9, 2003
Lap Dancing Raids in the Republic of Ireland
PRESS RELEASE
Coalition Against Trafficking in Women (CATW)
"Finally, we have some movement from the police and justice officials against the lap dancing clubs in the Republic of Ireland. These raids have implications for Northern Ireland, Scotland, the UK, other countries in Europe and countries across the globe.

We learn that most of the women in these clubs are from eastern Europe, Russia and the Ukraine. This is not surprising since the clubs are a front for prostitution, and the women are trafficked from countries in financial and political crisis. 

Unfortunately, when police raid the clubs, it's mostly the women who are visible and thus targeted. This unfortunate reality should give governments the incentive to pass anti-trafficking legislation, modeled on the new UN Protocol against trafficking, that provides assistance to trafficked women who have been exploited.

Raids are a good beginning, but much more needs to be done. The police and justice department must go after the real criminals, the traffickers, pimps and so-called entrepreneurs who make a business out of sexual exploitation. If women are to help the police in prosecuting these perpetrators, they must be given protection, resources and the ability to live lives free of prostitution. Organizations, such as the Ruhama Project in Dublin, who provide model services to women in prostitution should be funded also to expand their assistance to women trafficked from out of the country.

Ireland has a golden opportunity not just to initiate raids but to ensure that the traffickers will not be back in business next month or the month after. First, go after the real criminals. Do not punish the victims. No woman should be punished for her own exploitation. 

Second, pass legislation outlawing lap dancing clubs. Don't give licensing applications to these clubs. Lap dancing are brothels by another name. Lap dancing is sexual foreplay leading to the main event, which is sexual contact. This means that lap dancing is a part of the act of prostitution. Although clubs may plead that they do not engage in prostitution, they couldn't survive financially if they were providing stage or tabletop dancing alone. Neither could the women! 

Third, pass legislation in Ireland modeled on Sweden's law penalizing the buyers of "sexual services." Invite police, justice and gender equality spokespersons from Sweden to brief Irish officials. Legislation must get real and address the men who buy the women. Unless countries address the demand for prostitution, nothing will really change. There's no supply without demand. The male demand for the sex of prostitution has been the most invisible aspect of the trafficking and prostitution chain.

Certain clubs emphasize that men watching women strip and gyrate is good "harmless fun" - a boy's night out. Men don't go the clubs simply to watch. They go to get as near to the women as possible. These clubs are about pushing the envelope of sexual exploitation. When will countries have the courage to do something about the demand?

We are seeing that the sex industry in many parts of the world is trafficking foreign women into all parts of the sex industry, including the strip clubs. Supply follows demand. The clubs have to provide the kind of "exotic" women men demand. 

Fourth, stop issuing work permits for "exotic dancing." Many strip clubs import women from abroad through "employment networks and contacts." Foreign women are being trafficked into Ireland as part of this system of organized sexual exploitation and crime. 

Finally, resist the call from self-interested parties to regulate these clubs. Regulation is toleration and legitimation. Where lap dancing is legally tolerated and accepted, this is state-sponsored prostitution. Just how is any city or country going to evaluate which clubs are "best practice" clubs? Will the Garda Siochana stand watch over the lap of the customer to see if he pulls down her g-string, or pulls his penis out? Will a monitor accompany every woman who is paid to grind her body over a paying customer? Not on your life, and not on his! What a chilling effect on the clientele that action would have!

The Coalition Against Trafficking in Women (CATW) favors not the regulation of "best practice" strip and lap dancing clubs but the closing down of these establishments. Such activities are not and should not be legal. But let's do it right, and implement anti-sex industry policy, legislation and programs to insure that the same and other forms of sexual exploitation will not rise from these ashes.

Commercial sexual entertainment is commercial sexual exploitation. Lap dancing clubs are an unacceptable form of entertainment that depends upon women's inequality and the sexual objectification of women, where women are viewed and treated as sexual commodities for men's pleasure. The international human rights community is watching what Ireland will do. Will Ireland officially promote sexual equality or sexual exploitation?"

Contact:
Dr. Janice Raymond
Co-Executive Director
Coalition Against Trafficking in Women (CATW)
PO Box 9338
N. Amherst, MA 01059 USA
e-mail: jraymond@wost.umass.edu

June 9, 2003
Lapdancers also sold to brothels 
Dublin lap dancers being 'sold' as prostitutes by East-European criminal gang 
Protection Project/Dublin Daily
Ken Foxe and John Mooney 
(note: the Dublin Daily ceased operation in July 2003)
"Dozens of non-national women, who were being supplied to lapdancing clubs, were also being sold as prostitutes, Dublin Daily has learned.

According to garda sources, an Eastern European criminal was supplying women on an agency basis to the dance clubs. The man, who is now being sought by gardai, also "rented" the same women to brothels in the city.

It is understood he had established a middleman-type agency in Dublin, which was clearing an estimated €30,000 a week.

At least one lapdancing club and a number of brothels in the city were paying the man directly for the services. The women in turn were being paid a pittance.

A massive garda operation is now targeting this criminal, as well as dissident republicans, who are involved in the lapdancing and security industries.

The inquiries - spearheaded by Assistant Commissioner Kevin Carty - have turned into a gigantic trawl of dozens of criminals, both Irish and non- national, around the city.

The investigation is also looking at republicans with links to the Continuity IRA and Real IRA. They are believed to be involved in the security business and protection rackets around the city.

Gardai believe dissident republicans were effectively running one lapdancing club.

A former commanding officer of the IRA is also suspected of involvement in the business.

The Criminal Assets Bureau will now examine the tax affairs of all those involved in the industry.

The existence of the specialised unit, targeting the vice business, was first disclosed in Dublin Daily back in March.

Last Thursday night, a series of co-ordinated raids took place at some 10 clubs around the country. Teams of detectives, including officers from Immigration and the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, also searched a number of private addresses.

Gardai said the target of the operation was trafficking and not genuine lapdancing clubs. One senior garda said: "We are targeting exploitation and trafficking. Lapdancing is a dirty business involving republicans, foreign crime gangs and local criminals. It has to be cleaned up because it was getting to the state where it was running out of control." "

June 11, 2003
Issues of Lap Dancing and Trafficking Require Vigilance and Action from UK and European Partner
Press Statement from Rev Martin Smyth MP
Rev Martin Smyth MP has today given his reaction to a statement from Dr Janice Raymond, Co-Executive Director of the Coalition Against Trafficking in Women, which she has released in the wake of last week's raids on lap-dancing clubs in the Republic. The South Belfast MP said:

"I welcome Janice Raymond's statement. She and the Coalition Against Trafficking in Women have been tracking these issues involving lap-dancing, trafficking, and the exploitation of women internationally and therefore have a good grasp on not only the problems, but also on solutions. Dr Raymond's suggestions on what can be done through legislation to impact upon this issue and tighten up on loopholes should be given the most serious consideration by government."

"I particularly endorse Dr Raymond's assertion that last week's raids in the Republic also have implications for Northern Ireland, and the whole of the UK as well as the rest of Europe and the globe. While concerns may locally be highlighted by an individual lap-dancing club in a specific vicinity, the issue must be placed in a much wider context."

"If girls have been brought in illegally for lap-dancing clubs in the Republic, there is no reason to believe that the UK is not similarly affected. Northern Ireland, with a border which is weak in the way of immigration control, is particularly vulnerable. The issue must therefore be tackled through a strong and proactive common approach across countries. Raids in one individual country on one particular day, welcome though they are, are not enough on their own to halt a problem which is driven by networks of organised criminal groups."

"At its core this is a human rights issue which is about protecting those who have been exploited for the profit of others. I strongly believe that we in the West have a particular responsibility to those from less well off and developed countries, such as eastern Europe, to ensure that we do not stand back and allow those from our more wealthy society to take advantage of them."

June 12, 2003  
Identity of arrested lap dancer unclear
Irish Independent
Brian McDonald

Abstract to follow.

June 12, 2003
Nigerian at lap-dancing club 'feared for her life'
Irish Times

Abstract to follow.