NI Brothel Users Warned Over HIV Diagnosis

People on both sides of the border who have used a brothel in Letterkenny are being urged to seek urgent medical advice following the revelation that a prostitute working there has been diagnosed as HIV positive.

Public health agencies in Northern Ireland and the Republic have released the warning to anyone who has recently visited the brothel in County Donegal.

The story was revealed by the Charlie Joe McGinley, who is the deputy editor of the Donegal news.

"It all came to light at Glenties District Court when two foreign nationals - a Spanish woman and a Brazilian - were convicted and fined for prostitution offences," he said.

"In the course of the case one of the prostitutes confirmed that he was HIV positive."

It has been reported that the Brazilian male is operating as a transgender sex-worker within the brothel.

"Arising from that court case Superintendent Vincent O'Brien made an unprecedented appeal for any member of the public who has engaged in the services of a prostitute to immediately seek medical advice," Mr McGinley continued.

"He said this was so serious they had also referred the matter to the Health Promotion Unit who will be liaising with their colleagues in Northern Ireland because the clients using this brothel were also from Northern Ireland.

"We have indications of up to 100 people a week from Donegal and Derry using this brothel. There is a very clinical aspect to this and the gardai are not taking it lightly."

Garda Superintendent Vincent O'Brien warned that anyone operating brothels would be met with the full rigour of the law.

(IT)