AN IRISHMAN appeared in court in Wales on Saturday accused of human trafficking for the sex trade.
Thomas John Carroll (47), along with Shamiela Clark (31), both of Castlemartin, Pembrokeshire, west Wales, were charged with four offences. They are accused of human trafficking into the UK, human trafficking out of the UK, controlling prostitution and money laundering.
They were arrested along with eight others when gardaí and British authorities carried out a series of co-ordinated searches across the Republic, Northern Ireland and Wales last week.
Following a hearing at Llanelli Magistrates Court, Mr Carroll and Ms Clark were remanded in custody until December 16th when they will appear before Swansea Crown Court.
Six addresses in Carlow were also searched during last Wednesday's raids, including private homes and accountants' and solicitors' offices.
There were raids on suspected brothels in Cavan, Drogheda, Athlone, Mullingar, Sligo, Kilkenny, Enniscorthy, Newbridge and Waterford.
Five women found at the premises were foreign nationals who gardaí believe were working in prostitution. None were arrested.
Two have since left the State, while a third is due to depart today. Seven people arrested in the Republic as part of the same investigation have been released and files are being sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions.