Three Carlow residents charged in connection with crime gang
The trio were arrested as part of Operation Tara
THREE Carlow residents charged in connection with an alleged organised crime gang were served with books of evidence and sent forward for trial at the Special Criminal Court.
The arrests were made as part of ‘Operation Tara’, a joint investigation by the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB) and the Carlow Drugs Unit, which has been running since November 2024.
Fabian Sendyk (48) of Bestfield, Athy Road and Agata Margielska (33) of The Laurels, Tullow Road had previously appeared before Carlow District Court, when a detective said the investigation related to an alleged criminal gang. At that time, the state indicated that Ms Margielska’s case would proceed on indictment before a jury.
Jolanta Sendyk (44), also of Bestfield, Athy Road, appeared before Judge Geraldine Carthy, where she was served with a book of evidence. She is charged with an offence relating to participation in the activities of a criminal organisation and with a further offence. The director of public prosecutions (DPP) consented on 19 June to one count being sent forward for trial on indictment at a sitting of the Special Criminal Court.
She was recently granted High Court bail of €5,000, with a male family member present in court as independent surety. Judge Carthy read out her bail conditions, which include residing at an address in Carlow, signing on daily at Carlow Garda Station, observing a curfew from 11pm to 7am, carrying a mobile phone and being available to answer it 24/7 and having no contact with a number of people named by the judge.
Fabian Sendyk faces a single charge relating to participation in the activities of a criminal organisation.
Agata Margielska faces 18 counts. Before she was sent forward, a number of amendments were made to the charge sheets, including changes to dates and the addition of Tullow Road to her address.
State solicitor Brendan O’Flaherty handed in the DPP’s directions. He told the court that some of the offences are non-scheduled and applied for all 18 counts to be sent forward to the Special Criminal Court. The DPP consented.
Ms Margielska, who currently has High Court bail, was remanded on bail on her own bond of €500, with an independent surety of €1,500 from her mother and a further €1,500 in cash. Her bail conditions include residing at an address in the town, signing on at Carlow Garda Station, observing an 11pm to 7am curfew, being contactable by phone 24 hours a day and having no contact, on social media or otherwise, with a number of men named by the judge.
Judge Carthy put all three defendants on alibi warning, informing them that if they intend to rely on an alibi, they must notify the prosecution within 14 days.
Defence solicitor Alex Rafter made the usual applications seeking a section 56 order for access to recordings of garda questioning of his clients. He also applied for free legal aid for all three, including a senior and junior counsel for each, which Judge Carthy granted.
