A HOTEL part-owned by U2 duo Bono and The Edge is at the centre of a new legal case alleging that the venue is being used as a meeting place for “high-class” escorts.
According to The Sunday Times, The Clarence Hotel is taking legal action against Target Escorts after discovering the Malaga-based company had been advertising the venue on its website as a place for wealthy clients to meet escorts.
The hotel, which is also owned by Belfast businessman Paddy McKillen, has reportedly become a meeting point for the company, which charges clients a minimum €2,000 a night.
“The members of Ireland’s most legendary rock band U2 not only reside in posh hotels — they also own the best house in town,” the escort agency’s website reads.
“At the Clarence hotel, with your elegant VIP escort lady in Dublin you will be in good company. Truly legendary — the hotel bar the Octagon, where together with your sweet escort girl in Dublin you may drink a couple of Guinness.
“The only [sic] 40 rooms at this design [sic] hotel are decorated according to the ideas of a rock star — the heavy curtains will not let through a single ray of sunshine even at noon.”
The Clarence Hotel has since issued a statement responding to the discovery and confirming its planned legal action.
“The operators of the Clarence hotel are taking robust legal action against the owners of this disreputable website,” it reads.
“The Clarence hotel has a complete and total zero-tolerance policy for this or any other type of antisocial behaviour.
“All appropriate security and other measures are in place at the hotel and under constant review.”
Three other hotels are listed on the Target Escorts’ Dublin website as places where their services are available while a selection of popular restaurants in the capital are also endorsed as places where escorts can be taken on “dates.”
According to the company’s official registration, it provides: “personal and social services rendered by others to meet the needs of individuals, dating services; escorting in society (chaperoning); marriage agencies; night guards; personal body guarding.”
