Love/Hate’s Mary Murray has said she was shocked at what real-life prostitutes in Ireland have to do.
The Dublin actress revealed she researched her role as brothel owner Janet by looking at escort agencies and the girls they supply.
And the 34-year-old said she was horrified to see a “menu” of sex services being offered – calling on the Government to change things and adopt sex buyer laws.
Client: Janet is Nidge’s go-to girl in the RTE series | RTE
“When I was researching for my role I was on a lot of those escort agencies to see what my girls would be offering and that kind of thing,” she said.
“You’re basically looking at a menu on with a big long price list of what’s on offer and it is shocking. It is shocking what these girls are expected to do.
“The whole situation where these girls have been imported illegally into the country, into the sex industry, it’s appalling.
“I’m not an expert on prostitution in Ireland but I know it’s not a nice industry and anyone who says to the contrary is telling lies or someone is telling them lies.”
Worry: Mary feels for sex workers and what they have to do | RTE
And Mary – who will appear in this year’s Cinderella panto in Dublin – told a Ruhama conference that the Government needs to try and protect sex workers.
“It’s obviously not a nice situation to be in but I understand some people have no choice. It’s the only choice they have and they have to make the most of it,” she said.
“It might be a drugs situation or they have been brought into the country illegally. What can you do there?
“And then these people are treated as criminals. It’s already an unfortunate situation and what the Government should be doing is bringing in ways to help these people.”
