Lithuanian man pleads guilty to terrorist plot to attack Galway mosque
Between November 4 and 5, 2025, Karolis Peckauskas, a 39-year-old Lithuanian man, and co-accused Darren Gorman (33), Garrett Pollock (35) and Charles Flynn (35) were charged with attempting to damage by fire the Maryam Mosque, Old Cottages, Monivea Road, Galway, in a terrorist plot aggravated by hatred. Gorman and Pollock pleaded guilty to the same offence on June 8, 2026, and Peckauskas pleaded guilty at the non-jury Special Criminal Court on June 29, 2026. Peckauskas also faces a separate explosives charge on which a stay has been imposed pending a High Court judicial review in which Judge David Keane has reserved judgment. Flynn remains charged with the same offence, with his case next for mention on July 20, while Peckauskas, Gorman and Pollock will return for a sentence hearing on October 5.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court18 Jun
- Convicted29 Jun
2 reports - Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- The defendants attempted to damage by fire the Maryam Mosque, Old Cottages, Monivea Road, Galway, with the offence aggravated by hatred.
- When
- The offence occurred between November 4 and 5, 2025.
- Where
- The attack was on the Maryam Mosque, Old Cottages, Monivea Road, Galway.
- Weapon
- The explosive substance consisted of four threaded pipe end caps and six litres of hydrogen peroxide.
- Charges
- Peckauskas was charged with attempting to engage in terrorist activity or terrorist-linked activity under section 6(1)(a)(ii) and 7(1) of the Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Act 2005.
- Peckauskas was also charged with possession of an explosive substance under the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act, 1990.
- In court
- On June 8, 2026, Gorman and Pollock pleaded guilty to the same terrorist activity offence.
- On June 29, 2026, Peckauskas pleaded guilty at the non-jury Special Criminal Court.
- Peckauskas has a High Court judicial review claiming he cannot get a fair trial on the explosives charge due to the wording of the Explosives Act, with a stay imposed on that prosecution.
- Judge David Keane reserved judgment on the judicial review.
- Charles Flynn remains charged with the same offence, with his case next for mention on July 20.
- Peckauskas, Gorman and Pollock will return for a sentence hearing on October 5.
25 statements extracted from the articles
- whatHe attempted to damage by fire the Maryam Mosque, Old Cottages, Monivea Road, Galway. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe offence was aggravated by hatred. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- whatThe offence was to damage by fire Maryam Mosque, Old Cottages, Monivea Road, Galway. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe offence occurred between November 4 and 5, 2025. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe attack took place between November 4th and 5th, 2025. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeHe is charged with possession of an explosive substance consisting of four threaded pipe end caps and six litres of hydrogen peroxide (irishtimes.com)
- chargeThe charge is under section 6(1)(a)(ii) and 7(1) of the Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Act 2005. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeHe was charged with attempting to engage in a terrorist activity or terrorist-linked activity contrary to the Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Act 2005. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeThe weapons charge is contrary to the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act, 1990. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe High Court reserved its judgment in the case (irishtimes.com)
- courtHe has not entered a plea and a stay has been imposed on his prosecution until the High Court challenge is resolved (irishtimes.com)
- courtLeave for the judicial review was granted on 26 January in an ex parte motion (irishtimes.com)
- courtJudge David Keane reserved judgment on Wednesday (irishtimes.com)
- courtPeckauskas pleaded guilty at the non-jury Special Criminal Court. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtCharles Flynn remains charged with the same offence, with his case next for mention on July 20. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtPeckauskas, Gorman and Pollock will return for a sentence hearing on October 5. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtPeckauskas has a High Court judicial review claiming he cannot get a fair trial on the explosives charge due to the wording of the Explosives Act. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtA stay has been imposed on his prosecution on the explosives charge until judgment is returned on his High Court challenge. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- courtPeckauskas pleaded guilty at the non-jury Special Criminal Court on Monday. (irishtimes.com)
- courtCharles Flynn remains charged with the same offence, with his case next up for mention on July 20th. (irishtimes.com)
- courtPeckauskas, Gorman and Pollock will return before the court on October 5th for a sentence hearing. (irishtimes.com)
- courtPeckauskas has claimed in High Court judicial review proceedings that he cannot get a fair trial on the explosives charge due to the wording of the Explosives Act. (irishtimes.com)
- otherPeckauskas claims he cannot get a fair trial due to the wording of the Explosives Act (irishtimes.com)
- otherHe argues the Act places the burden on him to prove he is not morally culpable (irishtimes.com)
- otherLawyers argue the Act's wording is contrary to article 38.1 of the Constitution and the ECHR right to a fair trial (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 29 Jun2026Man pleads guilty to engaging in terrorist plot to attack Galway mosque
Reports Peckauskas's guilty plea, details of the charge under the Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Act 2005, the status of co-accused Gorman, Pollock and Flynn, additional charges for weapons and explosive substance, and a High Court judicial review stay on the explosives charge.
convicted, Karolis Peckauskas, 39, male, Lithuanian, named, non-irishKarolis Peckauskasconvicted, Darren Gorman, 33, male, named, irish (judged from name)Darren Gormanconvicted, Garrett Pollock, 35, male, named, irish (judged from name)Garrett Pollockaccused, Charles Flynn, 35, male, named, irish (judged from name)Charles Flynn - 29 Jun2026Lithuanian man pleads guilty to terrorist plot to attack Galway mosque
Reports the guilty plea of Peckauskas and details of the charge, the co-accused, additional charges for weapons and explosive substance, and a pending High Court judicial review on the explosives charge.
convicted, Karolis Peckauskas, 39, male, Lithuanian, named, non-irishKarolis Peckauskasconvicted, Darren Gorman, 33, male, named, irish (judged from name)Darren Gormanconvicted, Garrett Pollock, 35, male, named, irish (judged from name)Garrett Pollockaccused, Charles Flynn, 35, male, named, irish (judged from name)Charles Flynn - 18 Jun2026Lithuanian man allegedly involved in Galway mosque plot claims he cannot get a fair trial
Reports on the High Court judicial review in which Peckauskas challenged the wording of section 4 of the Explosives Act, arguing it places an impermissible burden on the accused. Judge David Keane reserved judgment. A stay has been imposed on his prosecution pending the outcome.
accused, Karolis Peckauskas, 39, male, Lithuanian, named, non-irishKarolis Peckauskas