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. 9288Attempting to engage in terrorist activity (attempted arson of mosque aggravated by hatred) · Co. Galway · 4 Nov 2025

Lithuanian man pleads guilty to terrorist plot to attack Galway mosque

Karolis Peckauskas, a 39-year-old Lithuanian man, is accused with Darren Gorman and Garrett Pollock of an attempted attack on the Maryam Mosque in Galway between 4 and 5 November 2025, an offence aggravated by hatred. Gorman and Pollock pleaded guilty to the same offence on 8 June. On 29 June 2026 Peckauskas pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court to attempting to engage in terrorist activity or a terrorist-linked activity, and a stay applies to his explosives charge pending a High Court judgment. Peckauskas, Gorman and Pollock are due back before the court for sentence hearings on 5 October, while Charles Flynn remains charged with the same offence.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Convicted1 Jun
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
The attempted attack was an attempted arson of a mosque, aggravated by hatred.
Where
The attempted attack targeted the Maryam Mosque in Galway.
When
The offence took place between 4 and 5 November 2025.
Cause
The offence was aggravated by hatred.
Investigation
Darren Gorman, 33, and Garrett Pollock, 35, pleaded guilty to the same offence on 8 June.
Charges
  • Karolis Peckauskas, a 39-year-old Lithuanian man, pleaded guilty to attempting to engage in terrorist activity or a terrorist-linked activity.
  • Peckauskas is charged with possession of an explosive substance.
  • Charles Flynn, 35, remains charged with the same offence, and his case is due for mention on 20 July.
Weapon
Peckauskas is accused of having hatchets, a knuckle duster and a hunting knife in a car at O'Moore Place, Portlaoise, on 4 November 2025.
In court
  • Peckauskas's guilty plea was entered at the non-jury Special Criminal Court on 29 June 2026.
  • A stay has been imposed on the explosives prosecution pending a High Court judgment on Peckauskas's challenge.
Sentence
Peckauskas, Gorman and Pollock will return to court on 5 October for sentence hearings.
Other details
One source dates the article 1 June 2026 but reports Peckauskas's plea on 29 June 2026.
11 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe attempted attack targeted the Maryam Mosque in Galway. (thejournal.ie)
  • whenThe offence took place between 4 and 5 November 2025. (thejournal.ie)
  • causeThe offence was aggravated by hatred. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationDarren Gorman and Garrett Pollock pleaded guilty to the same offence on 8 June. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargePeckauskas pleaded guilty to attempting to engage in a terrorist activity or a terrorist-linked activity. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargePeckauskas is also accused of having hatchets, a knuckle duster and a hunting knife in a car at O'Moore Place, Portlaoise, on 4 November 2025. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargePeckauskas is charged with possession of an explosive substance. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeCharles Flynn remains charged with the same offence and his case is due for mention on 20 July. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe guilty plea was entered at the non-jury Special Criminal Court. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtA stay has been imposed on the explosives prosecution pending a High Court judgment on Peckauskas's challenge. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentencePeckauskas, Gorman and Pollock will return to court on 5 October for a sentence hearing. (thejournal.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 1 Jun2026
    Convictedthejournal.ie, first report
    Lithuanian man pleads guilty to terrorist plot to attack Galway mosque

    Reports Peckauskas's guilty plea at the Special Criminal Court on 29 June 2026 and that co-accused Darren Gorman and Garrett Pollock pleaded guilty on 8 June. Notes Charles Flynn remains charged, sentence hearings are set for 5 October, and Peckauskas has a stay on the explosives charge pending a High Court judgment.

    convicted, Karolis Peckauskas, 39, male, Lithuanian, named, non-irishKarolis Peckauskasconvicted, Darren Gorman, 33, named, irish (judged from name)Darren Gormanconvicted, Garrett Pollock, 35, namedGarrett Pollockaccused, Charles Flynn, 35, named, irish (judged from name)Charles Flynn