Ireland Fourth arrest in cross-border terrorism investigation begun in Laois
Gardaí arrested a fourth man, in his 30s, in Co Limerick on 16 December 2025 as part of a cross-border terrorism-related investigation that began in Portlaoise, Co Laois. He was released without charge, and a file will be prepared for the DPP.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrested14 Nov
2 reports - Charged14 Nov
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports24 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe arrests relate to an alleged far-right plot to kill and maim. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatGardaí arrested a fourth male in Co Limerick as part of the cross-border terrorism investigation. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- wherePeople were arrested in Laois in connection with the alleged plot. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whereTwo men were arrested at O’Moore Place, Portlaoise, by Laois Gardaí attached to the Drugs Unit. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whenGardaí discovered suspicious items at O’Moore Place, Portlaoise, on 5 November. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whenA third man was arrested in Portlaoise on 12 November as part of the investigation. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- investigationThe investigation concerns a planned terrorist attack by a far right extremist group. (offalyexpress.ie)
- investigationThe investigation followed the arrest in Portlaoise of two alleged far right extremists the previous week. (offalyexpress.ie)
- investigationThe partner of a female party member was arrested as part of the cross-border investigation. (offalyexpress.ie)
- investigationThe party was told on Friday night that the home of a female party member and her partner had been raided, and he has since been arrested. (offalyexpress.ie)
- investigationSinn Féin said the Garda investigation is live and serious and it cannot say more. (offalyexpress.ie)
- investigationA raid was carried out on the home of a Sinn Féin member and her partner. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- investigationThe partner of a Sinn Féin member was arrested in the Garda investigation. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- investigationThe investigation was taken over by the Special Detective Unit, which contacted the PSNI. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- investigationThe fourth man, in his 30s, was detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act, 1939, at a Garda station in the midlands. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- investigationThe investigation continues to be led by the Special Detective Unit. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- chargePeople were arrested and charged in connection with the alleged plot. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtThe senator said the matter is subject to serious legal proceedings. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherThe female party member was expelled from the party on Saturday evening. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherThe party said she was expelled because she did not tell it that her home had been raided. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherA female Sinn Féin member was expelled from the party after the raid and arrest. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherThe senator said she had no knowledge of the Garda concerns. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherThe third man was later released without charge. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherThe fourth man has been released without charge. (leinsterexpress.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 18 Dec2025Fourth arrest in cross border terror investigation which began in Laois
Reports a fourth arrest on 16 December 2025 in Co Limerick, detained under Section 30 at a Midlands Garda station, released without charge with a file to the DPP. Also recounts the earlier arrests in Portlaoise and the PSNI searches in Northern Ireland.
suspect, malesuspect, malesuspect, malesuspect, 30s, male - 14 Nov2025Laois Senator says she had 'no knowledge whatsoever' of Garda concerns
Senator McCormack's response to the arrests and charging of people in Laois. Adds that a Sinn Féin member was expelled after a raid on her home, that her partner was arrested, and that the senator had no knowledge of the concerns.
suspect, male - 14 Nov2025Sinn Féin expel party member in the Midlands following arrest of partner in Garda far right probe
Adds that the home of a female Sinn Féin member and her partner was raided, that he was arrested, and that the party expelled her. Says the two alleged extremists were arrested in Portlaoise last week. Gives no exact date for the partner's arrest.
suspect, malesuspectsuspect