Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 0465Participating in a criminal organisation, brothel keeping · Co. Dublin · 10 Jul 2024

Brazilian woman Bruna Da Silveira jailed for three years for brothel-keeping criminal organisation in Dublin

Bruna Da Silveira, a 26-year-old Brazilian woman, was sentenced to three years in jail in July 2026 for her role in a brothel-keeping criminal organisation in Dublin that operated between July 2024 and September 2025. The organisation, which she helped run while in a relationship with its head, involved nearly 30 young Brazilian sex workers and saw €737,000 in proceeds pass through her three bank accounts. She pleaded guilty to participating in a criminal organisation at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, where Judge Elma Sheahan set a headline sentence of five years, reduced to three and a half years with the final six months suspended. Three other men are before Irish courts and others are being prosecuted in Brazil.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced31 Jul
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Bruna Da Silveira, a 26-year-old Brazilian woman, was in a relationship with the head of an organised crime group and helped run a brothel-keeping criminal organisation in Dublin.
  • Nearly 30 young Brazilian sex workers in their teens and early 20s were identified by gardaí, and €737,000 in proceeds from prostitution passed through Da Silveira's three bank accounts between 2024 and 2025.
Where
The brothels were short-term lettings arranged through Airbnb and Booking.com in Dublin.
When
Da Silveira arrived in Ireland on a student visa in July 2024 with her partner, and the criminal organisation operated between July 10, 2024, and September 9, 2025.
Investigation
The criminal organisation was investigated by gardaí, Europol and Interpol.
Charges
Da Silveira pleaded guilty to participating or contributing to the activities of a criminal organisation between July 10, 2024, and September 9, 2025.
In court
Three men are before the Irish courts while others are being prosecuted in Brazil, and the offence carries a maximum sentence of 15 years.
Sentence
Judge Elma Sheahan at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court set a headline sentence of five years, reduced to three and a half years, with the final six months suspended.
Other details
Da Silveira was co-operative with gardaí when arrested, had no previous convictions, came from a very poor family in Brazil, and has little English and no family in the country.
20 statements extracted from the articles
  • what€737,000 in proceeds from prostitution passed through her three bank accounts between 2024 and 2025. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatNearly 30 young Brazilian sex workers were identified by gardaí in the operation. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatShe was in a relationship with the head of an organised crime group. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatGardaí carried out welfare checks on about 28 or 29 young Brazilian women in their teens and early 20s brought to Ireland to work as escorts. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatOne woman engaged with gardaí and supplied information about the men running the criminal gang. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe witness said the head of the gang was intimidating and had made death threats against her. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe witness worked 15-hour days, 16 hours at weekends, and was only allowed one day off a month. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe women received 50 per cent of the money but had to pay rent for the temporary lettings used as brothels. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatShe had travelled in Croatia, Serbia and the Middle East with her partner before arriving in Ireland. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe brothels were usually short-term lettings arranged through Airbnb and Booking.com. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatShe was co-operative with gardaí when arrested and had no previous convictions. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatDa Silveira is working in a kitchen and attending school while in custody. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatDa Silveira came from a very poor family in Brazil and was earning money as a sex worker to send back home. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatShe has little English and no family in the country. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenDa Silveira arrived in Ireland on a student visa in July 2024 with her partner. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe criminal organisation was investigated by gardaí, Europol and Interpol. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeShe pleaded guilty to participating or contributing to the activities of a criminal organisation between July 10, 2024, and September 9, 2025. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThree men are before the Irish courts while others are being prosecuted in Brazil. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe offence carries a maximum sentence of 15 years. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceJudge Elma Sheahan set a headline sentence of five years, reduced to 3½ years, with the final six months suspended. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 31 Jul2026
    Sentencedirishtimes.com, first report
    Woman who helped run Dublin brothel gang jailed for three years

    Reports the sentencing of Bruna Da Silveira to three years (headline five years reduced to 3½ with six months suspended) for her role in a Dublin brothel-keeping criminal organisation involving nearly 30 young Brazilian sex workers, with €737,000 in proceeds passing through her bank accounts.

    convicted, Bruna Da Silveira, 26, female, Brazilian, named, non-irishBruna Da Silveirasuspect, male