Wednesday 28 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. 0865Terrorist activity (attempting to engage in terrorist activity to damage property by fire), possession of offensive weapons, possession of explosive substance · Co. Galway · 4 Nov 2025

Two men plead guilty to terror offences over plot to attack Galway mosque

Garrett Pollock, 35, and Darren Gorman, 34, pleaded guilty at Dublin's Special Criminal Court on 8 June 2026 to attempting to engage in terrorist activity to damage by fire Maryam Mosque in Galway between 4 and 5 November 2025, an offence aggravated by hatred. The group involved styles itself as the Irish Defence Army (IDA). Pollock is also charged with possession of offensive weapons and an explosive substance. Co-accused Charles Flynn, 35, and Karolis Peckauskas, 39, have yet to enter a plea. The matter was adjourned to 29 June 2026 for a mention hearing, with Pollock and Gorman to appear by video-link.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Convicted8 Jun
    2 reports
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Two men pleaded guilty to attempting to engage in terrorist activity to damage by fire Maryam Mosque in Galway, an offence aggravated by hatred.
Where
  • The mosque targeted was Maryam Mosque at Old Cottages, Monivea Road, Galway.
  • Pollock, 35, is from Kilhorne Green, Annalong, Co Down, and Gorman, 34, is from O'Moore Place, Portlaoise, Co Laois.
  • Flynn, 35, is from Castlerock Avenue, Castleconnell, Co Limerick, and Peckauskas, 39 (reports differ: 38), is from Newfoundwell Road, Drogheda, Co Louth.
When
The intended damage was to occur between 4 and 5 November 2025.
Charges
  • Pollock and Gorman pleaded guilty under the Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Act 2005.
  • Pollock and Peckauskas are also charged with offences relating to possession of weapons and an explosive substance.
In court
  • Flynn and Peckauskas have yet to enter a plea.
  • The matter was adjourned to 29 June 2026 for a mention hearing, with Pollock and Gorman to appear by video-link.
Investigation
An Garda Síochána and the PSNI are co-operating on the probe.
Other details
The group involved styles itself as the Irish Defence Army (IDA).
17 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatTwo men pleaded guilty to attempting to engage in terrorist activity to damage by fire Maryam Mosque in Galway. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereGarrett Pollock, 35, is from Kilhorne Green, Annalong, Co Down. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereCharles Flynn, 35, is from Castlerock Avenue, Castleconnell, Co Limerick. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereKarolis Peckauskas, 39, is from Newfoundwell Road, Drogheda, Co Louth. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe mosque targeted was Maryam Mosque at Old Cottages, Monivea Road, Galway. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe intended damage was to occur between 4 and 5 November 2025. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationAn Garda Síochána and the PSNI are co-operating on the probe. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeThey pleaded guilty to attempting to engage in terrorist or terrorist-linked activity to damage by fire Maryam Mosque in Galway between November 4 and 5, 2025. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargePeckauskas and Pollock are also charged with offences relating to possession of weapons and an explosive substance. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeThe charge is under the Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Act 2005. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtFlynn and Peckauskas have yet to enter a plea. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtA hearing for mention was granted for 29 June 2026, with Pollock and Gorman to appear via videolink. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe matter was adjourned to 29 June 2026 for the men to appear by video-link. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe group involved styles itself as the Irish Defence Army (IDA). (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherPollock is 35 and from Kilhorne Greene, Annalong, Co Down. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherCo-accused Charles Flynn, 35, is from Castlerock Avenue, Castleconnel, Co Limerick. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherCo-accused Karolis Peckauskas, 38, is from Newfoundwell Road, Drogheda, Co Louth. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 8 Jun2026
    Convictedirishtimes.com, first report
    Two men admit terror offences over plot to attack Galway mosque

    First report of guilty pleas by Gorman and Pollock, details of additional charges against Pollock, and identification of two co-accused (Flynn and Peckauskas) yet to enter pleas.

    convicted, Darren Gorman, 34, 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 Flynnaccused, Karolis Peckauskas, 38, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Karolis Peckauskas
  2. 8 Jun2026
    Convictedirishmirror.ie, follow-up
    Two men plead guilty to terrorist-linked attempt to damage Galway mosque

    Provides full addresses for all four accused, confirms the offence was 'aggravated by hatred', identifies the group as the Irish Defence Army (IDA), notes PSNI cooperation with Gardaí, and mentions a seized manifesto document.

    accused, Garrett Pollock, 35, male, named, irish (judged from name)Garrett Pollockaccused, Darren Gorman, 34, male, named, irish (judged from name)Darren Gormanaccused, Charles Flynn, 35, male, named, irish (judged from name)Charles Flynnaccused, Karolis Peckauskas, 39, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Karolis Peckauskas