Alleged brothel boss charged with over 100 prostitution-related offences

Lenuta Andreea Cucoranu (29) had a book of evidence served on her at Dublin District Court today.

Judge Paul Kelly sent her forward to Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Ms Cucoranu was arrested after alleged “vulnerable” sex workers were discovered in multiple garda raids last year. She is charged with 109 offences in Cos Dublin, Louth, Meath, Kildare and Waterford between 2016 and 2023.

Ms Cucoranu is accused of 20 counts of organisation of prostitution, 20 brothel keeping, 17 money laundering, seven thefts, 44 counts of using false documents and one of participating in organised crime.

Today, state solicitor Brian Coveney said the book of evidence was ready and had been served on the accused.

The DPP consented to Ms Cucoranu being returned for trial to the current sittings of the circuit court on counts 1-109 in the book of evidence, Mr Coveney said.

Judge Kelly, the District Court President, gave Ms Cucoranu the formal notice that she has 14 days to provide any alibi details to the prosecution. He also ordered the state to furnish the defence with the accused’s garda interview video.

The judge granted free legal aid following an application by the accused’s solicitor Philip Denieffe, to also cover both junior and senior counsel in the circuit court.

Ms Cucoranu was remanded on bail, on existing terms, to appear in the circuit court on July 4.

The accused nodded to acknowledge that she understood the alibi warning and that she was still subject to the same bail conditions, but she was not required to address the court.

She has not yet entered pleas to any of the charges.

The DPP had directed trial on indictment on all counts.

Previously, Detective Garda Michelle Woods of the Organised Prostitution Investigation Unit said Ms Cucoranu made no comment when the charges were put to her.

In a contested bail hearing when she first came before the district court a year ago, Det Sgt Andrew Lambe said it was alleged the accused leased properties “for the purpose of organising prostitution and operating them as brothels.”

They were allegedly leased using “specific false documents.”

According to gardaí, cash was lodged by the accused and subsequently transferred to landlords It was alleged that habitual prostitution was occurring at the properties, with more than one person operating as a prostitute at each address.

The money laundering charges related to €12,000 in alleged crime proceeds.

The accused, from Romania, was not married, had no children, came to Ireland in 2012 and had no employment history, the court heard.

It was a “complex and protracted investigation,” and there would be a significant number of witnesses – in excess of 45 “vulnerable individuals working in the sex trade,” Det Sgt Lambe said.