Thursday 29 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 9735Attempted terrorist activity · Co. Galway · 4 Nov 2025

Four men to stand trial over alleged plot to attack Galway mosque

Four men are charged with attempting to engage in terrorist activity by damaging Maryam Mosque, Old Cottages, Monivea Road, Galway, by fire between 4 and 5 November 2025, an offence alleged to be aggravated by hatred. The accused are Darren Gorman, 33; Charles Flynn, 35; Garrett Pollock, 35; and Karolis Peckauskas, 38. Two of the accused are alleged to have had hatchets, a knuckle duster and a hunting knife in a silver BMW at O'Moore Place, Portlaoise, and two are charged with possession of an explosive substance. A State solicitor applied on behalf of the DPP for trial before the Special Criminal Court, Mr Justice Patrick McGrath made the order for each accused and adjourned the matter to 11 May, and the case was reported on 5 May 2026.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court5 May
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Four men are charged with attempting to engage in terrorist activity by damaging Maryam Mosque by fire.
Where
The mosque is at Old Cottages, Monivea Road, Galway.
When
The alleged offences took place between 4 and 5 November 2025.
Cause
The offence is aggravated by hatred.
Weapon
Two of the accused are alleged to have had two hatchets, a knuckle duster and a hunting knife in a silver BMW at O'Moore Place, Portlaoise.
Charges
  • Two of the accused are charged under Section 9(5) of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act, 1990.
  • Two of the accused are charged with possession of an explosive substance comprising threaded pipe end caps and hydrogen peroxide.
In court
  • A State solicitor made an ex parte application on behalf of the DPP for the four accused to be tried before the Special Criminal Court.
  • Mr Justice Patrick McGrath made the order for each accused and adjourned the matter to 11 May.
9 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatFour men are charged with attempting to engage in terrorist activity by damaging Maryam Mosque by fire. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whereThe mosque is at Old Cottages, Monivea Road, Galway. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whenThe alleged offences took place between 4 and 5 November 2025. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • causeThe offence is aggravated by hatred. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • weaponTwo of the accused are alleged to have had two hatchets, a knuckle duster and a hunting knife in a silver BMW at O'Moore Place, Portlaoise. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • chargeTwo of the accused are charged under Section 9 (5) of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act, 1990. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • chargeTwo of the accused are charged with possession of an explosive substance comprising threaded pipe end caps and hydrogen peroxide. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtA State solicitor made an ex-parte application on behalf of the DPP to have the four accused tried before the Special Criminal Court. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtMr Justice Patrick McGrath, presiding, made the order for each accused and adjourned the matter to 11 May. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 5 May2026
    In courtdundalkdemocrat.ie, first report
    Louth resident to stand trial in connection with attempted terrorist attack on Mosque

    Reports that the four accused will stand trial at the Special Criminal Court, and sets out the specific charges, the weapons and explosives alleged, and the adjournment to 11 May.

    accused, Darren Gorman, 33, male, named, irish (judged from name)Darren Gormanaccused, Charles Flynn, 35, male, named, irish (judged from name)Charles Flynnaccused, Garrett Pollock, 35, male, named, irish (judged from name)Garrett Pollockaccused, Karolis Peckauskas, 38, male, namedKarolis Peckauskas