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Desperate Irish women turn to working in sex industry as economy tanks

Estimated 1,000 Irish woman work in escort services to pay the bills

By
CATHY HAYES,
IrishCentral Staff Writer
Published Wednesday, January 11, 2012, 7:20 AM
Updated Wednesday, January 11, 2012, 8:47 AM

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Irish women, from respectable backgrounds, are turning to prostitution to pay the bills during the recession
Irish women, from respectable backgrounds, are turning to prostitution to pay the bills during the recession
Photo by accommodationforstudents.com


Irish women, from respectable backgrounds, are turning to prostitution to pay the bills during the recession. Those forced to sell their bodies for cash include former business people, stay-at-home moms, and recent college graduates.

Linda Latham, of the Women's Health Service, in Dublin, said, “No matter what side of the tracks they come from, I have never met a happy prostitute in my 12 years working in this business…In the '80s and '90s, we saw mainly heroin addicts but now across the board we are seeing educated women who are so strapped for cash they are resorting to it out of dire economic need.

"We see a lot of women with degrees and qualifications who just can't get work."

The Irish Independent spoke to a middle class, well educated, suburban woman who is now running a one-woman escort service from her home in Dun Laoghaire, south Dublin.

The woman, named Niamh for the purposes of the article, studied psychology in university, worked in marketing, and doesn’t drink, smoke or do drugs, however, she’s now running her own escort service. For $280 (€220) Niamh offers conversation, companionship and “personal services” to men at her home.

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She also said she’s happy to be taken out to dinner and she’ll do an overnight, if the price is right.
She can make $1,917 (€1,500) within a matter of hours each week.

Niamh said, “It's the only way of making ends meet at the moment…I won't say it's easy money, but it is fast money. For example, this afternoon, I was down with a dentist near Wicklow. He gave me €250 and he didn't even last five minutes.

"It's always very busy at this time of year, during and after Christmas. My phone is on call most of the time and there is a lot of work after midnight."

A former marketing professional, Niamh started working in the business as the Irish economy began to falter. She said that since then, colleagues in the sex industry have changed from Brazilian and Eastern Europeans to a completely different group.

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19 Comments

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IrelandNorth | Jan 13, 2012, 07:52 AM EST
Get with the programme, girls! Get rid of all the consumer durables you've signed up for, the 50" plasma screen TVs, DVD's, Mercs/BMWs/Jags, etc. the upmarket apartments in "Kingstown" and the furs, (which looked better on the animals they were stolen from). Prostitution is the second oldest profession - after politics (ahem!). I reckon these are desperate housewives dissatisfied with theier husbands, and desiring a liason dangerouse knon and then. Any sucker who pays that kinda money for a quick squirt deserves to be taken for a ride (if you'll pardon the pun). Bring back De Valera and the Comely Maidens.

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ciaradexy | Jan 12, 2012, 08:42 AM EST
Is that Steven Adler from Guns 'n' Roses in the pic?

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BARNEYKX | Jan 12, 2012, 06:30 AM EST
Thats no surprise after all the government cutbacks,and its only a matter before the government starts looking for their share from prostitution,as they are taxing everything

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sirpeter | Jan 11, 2012, 09:32 PM EST
No wonder that woman in the pic is a hooker.She looks as if she can barely stand.Besides hell if you were married to her you would be picking her hair out of every take away you had for dinner.

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Springfield9 | Jan 11, 2012, 04:45 PM EST
Well, men are going to pay, one way or another. Please give my best to Niabh and wish her professional success. By the way, before some fool goes on a rant about STDs, "professional" ladies are responsible for about 1.5%. The rest comes from the one you met at the club.

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sirpeter | Jan 11, 2012, 04:39 PM EST
What is IC trying to prove!!That women in Ireland these days are forced into selling sex because of the recession?Whatever about drug addicts selling sex.They need big money and most can't work.This Niamh woman is just using it as an excuse.She is motivated for the same reason as a drug importer is.Big money fast and plenty of it.

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ProudCanadian | Jan 11, 2012, 04:38 PM EST
If prostitution was legal merefalow, you wouldn't have the pimps.Hey don't get me wrong I would love to see it gone, but there is just no way that it is going to happen I say legalize it put the girls in clean facilities, tax them and allow doctors to check them out every week or so and I quarantee in will not be so much in the news.

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AengusOg | Jan 11, 2012, 04:12 PM EST
Then there is the old story of two mothers receiving money from their children in the States. Mary has received a five pound note while Peggy's mother has received two ten pound notes. Mary asks what Peggy is doing to be making so much money. "Hoorin'" answers her mom, and Mary says, "Ah, I wish my Mikeen were doin' that."

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AengusOg | Jan 11, 2012, 04:07 PM EST
'Selling her body' sounds so demeaning, wouldn't "renting her body" be more accurate and have a more entrepreneurial ring.

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Scrivner | Jan 11, 2012, 03:38 PM EST
Brennanirish, perhaps Nial is looking for a grant to do some original research on the subject?

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merefalow | Jan 11, 2012, 02:15 PM EST
reminds me of the two kids playing in the street,this rolls royce pulls up,this lovely lady dressed in furs and diamonds gets out,knocks on the kids front door,his friend says .blimey,who,s that,the kid says,"thats my sister what was ruined"1500 bloody euros,wish i was a tart.hate pimps though,if a woman can earn it fair play,not give it to a parasite though.guess there are levels,cant be very good walking the streets,kinda sad for most i would think..

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LilPaddy | Jan 11, 2012, 02:04 PM EST
I was born with the wrong equiptment.......Too long ago!!!

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Caoimhin1937 | Jan 11, 2012, 12:52 PM EST
Prostitution has been going on since time immemorial, even in Ireland. If this story is true, I hope they have their own union and not let foreign pimps exploit them. Wife swapping in Bushmill, Co. Antrim was one of the reasons the Peace Treaty was signed. Ask Bertie, Blair and Paisley. This story is for another time. Slan leath.

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cuddlybuddly | Jan 11, 2012, 12:37 PM EST
Men from respectable backgrounds are so dysfunctional and depraved they will pay 250euros for five minute sex!!! lol

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rainbowbrew | Jan 11, 2012, 12:13 PM EST
It is hard to read all caps

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