THE OWNER OF a Thai massage parlour in a small village in Connemara has stopped taking male clients due to the volume of enquiries seeking sexual services and “happy endings”.

Yosita Fitzpatrick, who is from Thailand, set up Connemara Thai Massage and Wellness in Letterfrack last November, but the certified massage therapist has since been shocked by the calls and messages she has received from men.

She has reported communications from several individuals to An Garda Síochána, and has posted screenshots of some offensive messages on social media in an effort to dissuade prospective callers.

However, Fitzpatrick continues to receive offensive enquiries asking for sexual services “pretty much daily”, and announced last week that she would only be taking female clients in future.

“I am fully aware that, in the eyes of the world, the phrase ‘Thai women’ evokes unfair and negative stereotypes – portraying us merely as objects of desire,” said the mother-of-two.

“The truth is far richer. Thailand has so much to offer, and Thai women possess value that cannot be confined to narrow, outdated perceptions.

“No one has a right to harass me simply because I am a Thai woman or because I own a massage business,” she said.

“I am a therapist. I heal people. This is what I love. It is my purpose, and I do not want to walk away from it.”

Fitzpatrick said it was a difficult decision to stop accepting male clients, as they comprise around 40% of her clientele, and there are “many respectful men” who will miss out because of the actions of a few.

However, she explained that the explicit and inappropriate enquiries have made her feel anxious and uncomfortable – to the point that she considered quitting – and the drastic move was her only option.

She will continue to cater for her existing male clients.

Fitzpatrick claimed that other Thai massage therapists around the country are also subjected to the same harassment, but choose not to speak publicly about it.

She announced on her social media accounts last week that she would no longer be accepting male clients, and warned callers that inappropriate enquiries would be reported to gardaí and may be shared publicly.

Remarkably, however, she continues to receive calls and messages from men seeking sexual services on a daily basis.

“All I ask for is simple – respect,” said Fitzpatrick. “I can no longer accept what has been happening.”

The massage therapist is married to an Irish man, whom she met in Thailand, where they got married and lived together for 10 years. They have two children together and moved to Ireland just after the Covid-19 pandemic.

Letterfrack is a small village in Co Galway with a population of around 200, and is situated near Connemara National Park.