WOMEN ESCAPE BROTHEL ORDEAL.(News)

Byline: EXCLUSIVE by LINDSAY FERGUS

A BROTHEL where two women were held at knifepoint as sex slaves was being investigated by gardai last night.

The women's ordeal began last week when they arrived at Dublin Airport where they were met by two thugs.

Within minutes they were bundled into a car, separated and sent to work as prostitutes in counties Waterford and Kildare.

It is understood the victims had replied to an internet advertisement.

A source said: "No information was given to them, they were just informed a client was at the door whenever one was. Twice a day two heavies would come and collect their money."

One of the girls was arrested last week when gardai raided a Waterford apartment. Within hours of her release from custody she contacted her pal and they arranged to flee Ireland.

The source added: "The heavies got wind of their plans and warned her at knifepoint not to talk to the Garda or she would be sorry."

The woman fled to Dublin Airport to get a flight home. However, when she arrived two men were waiting.

She immediately alerted airport police and the thugs disappeared.

Dublin-based charity Ruhama, which works with prostitutes, admits that this is just the "tip of the iceberg".

This year 97 women are known to have been smuggled into Ireland for prostitution.