Ireland Two men due in court in Portlaoise after anti-terrorism operation against suspected far-right group
Two men in their 30s and 40s, arrested by gardaí in a cross-Border antiterrorism operation, are due in court in Portlaoise, Co Laois. Gardaí suspect them of being members of a violent fringe far-right organisation intent on attacking people from a minority group.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrested5 Nov
3 reports - Charged5 Nov
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports26 statements extracted from the articles
- whatTwo males arrested in connection with the investigation have been charged. (garda.ie)
- whatGardaí arrested two men in Co Laois after a vehicle stop and seized a number of items. (garda.ie)
- whereThe arrests were made in Co Laois. (garda.ie)
- whereThe men were stopped and searched in a vehicle in Abbeyleix, Co Laois. (irishtimes.com)
- whereA vehicle carrying the men was stopped and searched by gardaí in Abbeyleix, Co Laois. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe arrests took place on Wednesday 5 November 2025. (garda.ie)
- whenThe vehicle was stopped and searched on Wednesday, which is 5 November 2025. (irishtimes.com)
- causeGardaí believe the men are members of a violent fringe far-right organisation intent on attacking people from a minority group. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe arrests were made in a cross-border terrorism-related investigation. (garda.ie)
- investigationThe men are detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act 1939 in Garda stations in the midlands. (garda.ie)
- investigationThe investigation is led by the Garda Special Detective Unit. (garda.ie)
- investigationGardaí are working closely with the PSNI on the investigation. (garda.ie)
- investigationSearches in Northern Ireland led to items, including electronic devices, being removed for further examination. (garda.ie)
- investigationThe operation was carried out by the Special Detective Unit, which investigates terrorism and other threats to the State. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe men were held at Garda stations in the Midlands under the Offences Against the State Act and can be questioned for up to 72 hours without charge. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí are investigating the arrested men on suspicion they were members of an illegal organisation. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationTwo men were arrested by gardaí as part of a cross-Border antiterrorism operation. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeThe men are suspected of being members of a violent fringe far-right organisation intent on attacking people from a minority group. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe two males are due to appear before Tullamore District Court on Friday 7 November 2025 at 10:30am. (garda.ie)
- courtThe two men are due in court in Portlaoise, Co Laois. (irishtimes.com)
- otherGardaí describe the operation as ongoing. (garda.ie)
- otherItems found in the vehicle included pipe ends and sealant, a bulletproof vest, cable ties, hatchets, knives and a Tricolour. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe men are in their 30s and 40s and have no significant criminal background that gardaí were aware of. (irishtimes.com)
- otherA car seized by gardaí in Drogheda was found to contain suspicious items and was being examined by a Defence Forces EOD team. (irishtimes.com)
- otherIn Northern Ireland, four explosive devices were found at a property in Annalong, Co Down, as a separate part of the operation. (irishtimes.com)
- otherPipe ends, sealant, a bulletproof vest, cable ties, hatchets, knives and a Tricolour were found. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 7 Nov2025Two men detained in operation against far-right terror group due in court in Co Laois
Adds the arrest of two men, their court date in Portlaoise, the Special Detective Unit's role, and items found in the vehicle stopped in Abbeyleix. The Annalong, Co Down, explosive devices found in Northern Ireland are a separate matter and are not part of this case.
suspect, 30s, malesuspect, 40s, male - 6 Nov2025Detained far-right suspects intended to attack minority group, gardaí believe
Adds the items found in the Abbeyleix vehicle, that the men are held under the Offences Against the State Act with up to 72 hours of questioning, that the Special Detective Unit led the operation, a car seized in Drogheda with suspicious items, and the separate Annalong (Northern Ireland) explosive devices find.
suspect, malesuspect, male - 5 Nov20252 Arrests in Cross Border Terrorism related Investigation – 5th November 2025
Official Garda press release confirming the arrests, the Section 30 detention and the cross-border work with the PSNI, including searches in Northern Ireland. It does not mention the far-right link or the court appearance in Portlaoise.
suspect, 40s, malesuspect, 30s, male - 5 Nov2025Update Court Appearance-2 Arrests in Cross Border Terrorism related Investigation – 5th November 2025
Confirms both arrested men have been charged and gives the Tullamore District Court appearance time (10:30am, 7 November 2025). The earlier record expected court in Portlaoise. The article does not state where the arrests took place.
accused, 40saccused, 30s