Is This Legal?

[mallyman]

Does raise a question, although it states time and companionship etc for the rates. Then you have a list of sexual services available on the profiles. They would need to prove sex had taken place but it is very clear why we come on this site and meet with escorts. Not just for a 30 mins or 1 hour chat and a coffee

its easy to prove as with all the wipes and condoms not to mention phones/ laptops, also most escorts share and this is in itself is illegal so its double trouble

[SteveB]

In the real world it is not only "is this legal?"

But also;

Does anyone want to enforce it?
Is anyone going to allocate the resources to enforce it?
Can it be proven beyond reasonable doubt?
And of course, since there are no stated cases nor even previous convictions as a guide, is it even illegal?

[Dom Dunn]

What I assume you mean here is that to be convicted then (a) and (b) needs to happen.
They can still prosecute and fail to get a conviction.

Upon conviction you get a 500 euro fine which tbh is the least of most clients' concerns. However just getting prosecuted does as much damage as getting convicted. You have to tell your family and work that you're up in court and they will automatically assume you're guilty (which you probably are) so even if you are acquitted then all the negative consequences of a conviction still accrue.

In most cases a conviction would require the sex worker to give evidence in court if the charge is denied. If you end up in the dock you will of course be tainted regardless of the outcome just look at the aftermath of the Belfast rape trial. Also for most people there would be serious private and work ramifications. It has been stated before on this site that a punter took his own life after been convicted in court for soliciting and the children of another person convicted suffered intimidation at school. Not good consequences really.

[backdoor53]

What is the fine ? the new law.Im sure they will target this website and shut it down .I think the website works from a different country so hard to shut it down .Do they put your picture on the front of the Sunday World

[TomTrent]

What is the fine ? the new law.Im sure they will target this website and shut it down .I think the website works from a different country so hard to shut it down .Do they put your picture on the front of the Sunday World

Althought the website is hosted outside of Ireland, they dont need to shut it down, they would block the website from being viewed. Unlikely but this is what looks to have happened in the US.

[TomTrent]

Well aware of how easy it to be traced by our online activities and mobile devices.
Doubt there is the resouces for the garda to really go after us clients.
Wonder what they would call it if they did.....'Operation Caught With Your Pants Down' maybe.

Easiest way would be to cut the head off by restricting access to the site. Very unlikely but could happen.

[LozzoD79]

Would the Irish government go to this extreme? If they started to block access to sites where does it end and does that mean an end to freedom of internet access.

[TomTrent]

Would the Irish government go to this extreme? If they started to block access to sites where does it end and does that mean an end to freedom of internet access.

You would hope not. I am just stating its technically possible for a country to block certain sites as the Government controls the internet providers as required.

[The Libertarian]

The most completely insane of all the recommendations of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Law Reform in the area, just prior to the insane law coming on stream and one of the many taken from a particular prominent TORLER's Playbook was to legally equate anybody downloading an escort related site e.g. EI to a paedophile downloading scenes of children being raped! And that 'anybody' could include a curious teenager or a sex worker seeking dangerous punter warnings or advice of sexual health! And most escort related sites including this one, aren't even pornographic!

That was even to extreme for the lovely minister who introduced clause 4 eventually!

Imagine the level of complete and utter laughing stocks, the entire nation would be to the world!

I would humbly suggest that those who unanimously put forward that extreme nutter recommendation are so far removed from the reality of the world that they should immediately resign from holding any public office and as a matter of extreme urgency, rush to their nearest psychiatric health facility and seek help!