Hi Eamonn,
Since you're obviously fairly new to the forums, I guess you missed the threads from a few months ago-- there had been a load of hassle for quite a few girls that were touring in Athlone, as they were getting threatened by pimps and agencies, with implications of local law enforcement being, shall we say, 'part and parcel' to the activities and endeavors of those same individuals, as well as a few other rather disturbing events.
Needless to say since then quite a few ladies have decided to leave Athlone and the immediate surrounding area off their tour schedules. Sorry, but looks like coming into Dublin will have to remain your best option for having access to both quality as well as quantity!
There is someone there with an appartment and if the girls do no rent from him, he has his friends in the gardai, and I say friends, come to harass the women, remove them and lock them up for a few hours, take their phone etc.. So if you were girl, would you come to Athlone if this was going on?
This HAS happened and was discussed here before.
ESP
Unfortunately, it doesn't look like anything can be done about it, at least not directly. Even talking about it in too much detail on the boards prompted Pat to edit a load of what was said about it on the threads I mentioned from a few months ago, as E-I certainly cannot be seen to take part in anything having directly to do with the whole situation, and it certainly is NOT an option to openly name and shame on the open thread, but perhaps, if someone had more information, they could send it to you via P.M.
Outside of the cities and some of the largest town, this seems to be a feature of the escort scene in many parts of rural Ireland. These activities have been reported from a few locations at this stage. Basically, the person or persons who control these apartments like to ensure that any escorts operating in "their area" rent from them, otherwise they will have problems such as the gardai being tipped off or the hotels that they use being tipped off. The fake positive and negative reviews are just another aspect of this activity.
The really strange thing in all of this, is if the police really wanted to stop agencies/pimping in an area, once they establish that a property is being used by more than one escort and particularly when there is a high turn around of escorts operating out of there, all they need to do is find out who the registered owner is or who the letting agent is and then find out from them, who if anyone is renting the property and allowing it to be used for such purposes. If they are'nt doing this, you need to ask yourself why.
Last edited by carlos marvado; 13-06-10 at 17:22.