Are Escort Security Guys legal?

[Cable87]

Well gents,


Thought I'd weigh-in on this topic, as I am myself a former doorman/bouncer, having worked at several downtown Dublin pubs.


I don't think there is any real way that a security man that would be looking after escorts could actually become licensed specifically for it, and I believe this because there are 2 different types of licence that the Private Security Authority (PSA) issue, and they both have to do with and are arranged specifically around what types of places and kinds of business are conducted at those establishments, and I'm not sure if the restrictions could be interpreted in such a way to include protecting escorts.

Both have restrictions about what types of businesses and on what premises that security guards are allowed to operate, I'm really not sure how it would be argued if such a case were to actually come up in court, or the legal ramifications regarding the issue of others profitting from someone else selling sex. I think part of the concern would be the simple fact that the security guys that would be protecting the ladies would technically be working on private, non-commercial property (apts & hotels), and thus would only be able to be licenced and working as security men if they were directly hired by the owner/operator of the place at which the ladies were working-- which of course would NEVER HAPPEN!

Besides, even if there was some way around these technicalities, a legally licenced and working security guard would have to be officially on someone's payroll while working for it to be on the level, so that would mean an hourly rate at (at least) the industry minimum, paid by the escorts that employed him! Tax forms & declared income for the ladies! Also highly unlikely!

Here's a copied segment from the PSA's website on Security Licence types:

How are security services defined?

The legislation identifies people providing a security service as including security guards, door supervisors, suppliers and installers of security equipment, private investigators, security consultants, cash in transit, locksmiths and suppliers and installers of safes.

What types of licences does the PSA issue?

The Private Security Authority issues two types of licences:

*
Private Security Service Contractors Licence (applies to companies, partnerships and sole traders providing security services)
*
Private Security Service Employee Licence

Each licence identifies the sector(s) of the private security industry in which the licensee is authorised to operate and is valid for two years.

And here's their website:

The Private Security Authority

[anon361]

yes, problem is what the gardai say in the offical stance, and what they say in the real world to an escort, a no names example 2 or 3 years ago a german escort was busted, the usual occured, but on release she ask a garda as to when she could organize a flight, he replied, why sure this is a rugby weekend there will be plenty of business why would want to leave? , that gem was retold to me by an escort,

I can imagine LOL, then the 2 faced git would call around and do her again

[carlos marvado]

Good points Cable87. I noticed that the information you posted did not include the category of bodyguard. As we know many celebs including singers and actors employee the services of bodyguards, including when they tour in Ireland. So I think that in the case of escorts, a bodyguard to guard the actual person rather then a security guard to guard a location or venue might be a better comparison.

From what some escorts have posted, it seems to be boyfriends or friends who fill this function in many cases, rather than professionals who are paid on hourly or daily rate.

[anon361]

From what some escorts have posted, it seems to be boyfriends or friends who fill this function in many cases, rather than professionals who are paid on hourly or daily rate.

I think bodyguards is only an americanised term for a security guard? But like you said, my worry would be if one of these boyfriends / friends were to physically remove a punter would they not leave themselves open to prosecution should he be harmed or feel aggrieved

[Cable87]

Excellent points Anon & Carlos.


I know that the information that I put the link to for the PSA specifically does not include anything about 'body guards' (as a distinct and separate category from 'security guard') because I'm personally unaware of any specific distinction between the two, at least within Ireland and the private sector with regard to privately-hired protection services.

Body guards that would work for high-level politicians would probably be considered to fall under the jurisdiction of law enforcement, and thus would be considered a separate category by the likes of the PSA, and thus wouldn't fall under their purview. As for the likes of celebs, whether Irish or non-nationals that have private body guards/security, I also couldn't say for sure what legal restrictions they would be held to regarding their status and work within Ireland.

And as for it being boyfriends or friends of the ladies looking after them and the other issues that Anon mentioned, I'd say that in a serious case, if a 'security guy' (or how ever he would characterise his 'work') were actually to seriously rough-up an escort's client, I suppose that hypothetically, he could be open to prosecution, should he seriously step out of line and get, shall we say, 'more violent than necessary' to remove/deal with an unruly client.

In the security work I did (I worked for a security agency), the bosses made it crystal clear from the start that we were to handle ourselves as professionally as possible, and that, even if assaulted, we were to try and handle ourselves (and the person causing the trouble) with as little force as possible, as were were technically liable in the case of serious injury, and were certainly not 'immune' to possible charges, criminal or civil, being brought against us. Now I must say that I've never personally heard of an actual case being brought against a security guy/doorman, as in most cases, the bar, the Gardai, and our bosses would stand behind us if any kind of serious situation came up.

And what's more, most of the people that caused hassle, even if you had to physically remove them from an establishment (which I'd had to do on more than one occasion), despite much threats of legal action and "don't you know who I am!?" type of grand-standing, will go home, be really annoyed about it for a few days/weeks, and have a interesting anecdote to talk about that night, but ultimately won't do anything about it in the end other than bitch to their mates. Most people sober-up and realize they themselves were probably out of line, and that the bar as well as the Gardai (to say nothing about a court or judge) would most likely NOT side with them, unless there was very serious misconduct on the part of the bar or the security guard(s) in question.

But ultimately, we were technically liable for our own actions should anything serious happen, and we could get in serious trouble if any of us decided to thump somebody, just the same as if you really beat the hell out of someone in a street fight. So yes, I'd say a guy there 'protecting' an escort could also be charged just the same, and the specifics of the situation if it went to court would probably be used to determine if the use of violence by the security man/body guard was justified.

[MET-RX]

I think bodyguards is only an americanised term for a security guard? But like you said, my worry would be if one of these boyfriends / friends were to physically remove a punter would they not leave themselves open to prosecution should he be harmed or feel aggrieved

I dont think a punter would want to prosecute if he was physically removed from an apartment...imagine the press he would get in court...regarding the licence,there is a DSP licence for niteclubs etc and a static guard licence for site/retail work. They both require a 10 year background check by garda, and cost e130 & e80 per 2 years to renew. As a security guard you are allowed use minimun force required to protect yourslf and whatever you are guarding.There is still alot of work available off the books but you have no insurance and i have seen PSA ppls and garda come into the niteclub where i work to check regulation. You need further advanced training for bobyguarding such as 'close protection' training which is quite expensive.Generally (but not always) people who have to be forceably removed from any situation as so high on drink or drugs they have no memory of what happened to then anyway..