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. 9302Possession of an explosive substance · Co. Laois · 4 Nov 2025

Man charged over explosive possession challenges Explosives Act wording in High Court

On 4 November 2025 at O'Moore Place, Portlaoise, Co Laois, a 39-year-old man, Karolis Peckauskas, was charged with possession of an explosive substance, namely four threaded pipe end caps and six litres of hydrogen peroxide, in connection with an alleged plot to destroy a Galway mosque. Leave for judicial review was granted on 26 January in an ex parte motion, in which he argues that Section 4 of the Explosives Act places an impermissible burden on him. He has not entered a plea, and his prosecution is stayed until the High Court challenge is resolved. The latest reported development is that Mr Justice David Keane has reserved judgment in the High Court challenge.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court1 Jun
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Karolis Peckauskas, a 39-year-old man, is charged over an alleged plot to destroy a mosque in Galway.
Where
The charge relates to an incident at O'Moore Place, Portlaoise, Co Laois.
When
The charge relates to an incident on 4 November 2025.
Charges
Peckauskas is charged with possession of an explosive substance, namely four threaded pipe end caps and six litres of hydrogen peroxide.
In court
  • Papers lodged for Peckauskas claim the wording of Section 4 of the Explosives Act places an impermissible burden on him and that he cannot get a fair trial.
  • Leave for judicial review was granted on 26 January in an ex parte motion.
  • Peckauskas has not entered a plea, and his prosecution is stayed until the High Court challenge is resolved.
  • Mr Justice David Keane reserved judgment in the High Court challenge.
Other details
The article is dated 1 June 2026 in the index, but its text is timestamped 17 June 2026.
8 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA man charged over an alleged plot to destroy a Galway mosque claims he cannot get a fair trial due to the wording of the Explosives Act. (thejournal.ie)
  • whereThe charge relates to an incident at O’Moore Place, Portlaoise, Co Laois. (thejournal.ie)
  • whenThe charge relates to an incident on 4 November last year. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeKarolis Peckauskas is charged with possession of an explosive substance, namely four threaded pipe end caps and six litres of hydrogen peroxide. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtPapers lodged for Peckauskas claim the wording of Section 4 of the Explosives Act places an impermissible burden on the applicant. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtPeckauskas has not entered a plea and his prosecution is stayed until the High Court challenge is resolved. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtLeave for judicial review was granted on 26 January in an ex parte motion. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtMr Justice David Keane reserved judgment in the High Court challenge. (thejournal.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 1 Jun2026
    In courtthejournal.ie, first report
    Man charged over alleged Galway mosque plot claims he can't get fair trial due to law's wording

    Reports that the charged man argues the Explosives Act places an impermissible burden on him, that the High Court reserved judgment, that he has not pleaded and his prosecution is stayed, and that the case is described as an alleged plot to destroy a Galway mosque.

    accused, Karolis Peckauskas, 39, male, namedKarolis Peckauskas