Sex services continued at a massage parlour in Dublin, despite Garda’s warning

DUBLIN: Qiuping Chen (35) owner of a massage parlour, pleaded guilty to operating a brothel in her parlour in Dublin from January 2016 to July 2017.

The “happy endings” continued at the Dorset Street massage centre, despite Garda’s repeated warnings to stop providing sexual services.

In January 2016, a garda went to the massage parlour in Dorset Street as a client.  But when he requested for a massage, they offered him a “happy ending.” The court heard this is a sex act.

Garda explained Qiuping Chen, the owner of the parlour, and another woman on that day that “happy endings” are illegal in Ireland. The garda warned them to stop all forms of sexual activity, including any touching of a client’s penis.

Twice later, in October 2016 and April 2017, when the Garda inquired, Ms. Chen admitted that “happy endings” were still taking place. They resumed even after Garda warned them a second time that they would face criminal action if they did not stop the sexual services.

When Gardai went to the parlour in July 2017 with a search warrant, they saw Ms. Chen, another woman and a male customer. Seven vibrators, four bottles of “lube” and a ledger with customer names, transaction details and “certain requests” were found there. Gardaí also gathered CCTV footage, including recordings of Ms. Chen and another person in a shower.

But Ms. Chen denied responsibility for any sex acts carried out in the parlour and claimed she employed people to give massages.

Garda Pauline Treanor clarified that there was no evidence of any exploitation, threats or human trafficking associated with his client or the brothel.

Garda Treanor acknowledged that there could be “cultural misunderstandings” to some extent and mentioned that post-massage sex services are common practises in China.

Judge Karen O’Connor postponed the sentencing to 27 November.