Laois man charged over alleged terror plot

A Laois man was among four defendants who appeared in court accused of attempting to engage in a terrorist attack on a mosque in Galway last November. 

Darren Gorman(33) of 6 O’Moore Place, Portlaoise is charged with attempting to engage in a terrorist activity or a terrorist-linked activity to damage Maryam Mosque, Old Cottages, Monivea Road, Galway, by fire on November 4, 2025. 

Co-accused Charles Flynn(35) of 13 Castlerock Avenue, Castleconnell, Limerick,  Garrett Pollock(35) of 12 Kilhorne Green, Annalong, Co Down and Karolis Peckauskas(38) of An Tobar, 37 Newfoundwell Road, Drogheda, Co Louth all appeared before Portlaoise District Court facing the same charge. 

All of the accused except Mr Peckauskas applied for bail in relation to the alleged offence. Gardai stated that they all featured in a video being prepared on behalf of a “right wing violent extremist grouping”.  

Mr Peckauskas was further accused of possessing a hunting knife, knuckle duster and two hatchets at O’Moore Place on November 4, 2025. 

Mr Pollock was further accused of possessing a hunting knife, knuckle duster and two hatchets at O’Moore Place on November 4, 2025. He is also accused of having an explosive substance in a van at An Tobar, Newfoundwell Road, Drogheda, Co Louth on November 4. 

Judge Andrew Cody said that although there was no evidence that anyone connected to any of accused made enquires about investigating Gardaí, “it appears  some enquiry may have been made” and given the nature of the case he was restricting the reporting of the names of Gardaí who gave evidence in court or were involved in the arrests. 

He said it is alleged that Mr Pollock and Mr Peckauskas were in a BMW car that was stopped by the drugs unit attached to Portlaoise Garda Station at O’Moore Place, Portlaoise on November 4 at 11pm. 

During a search of the car Gardaí said they discovered  four threaded pipe end caps, five bottles of hydrogen peroxide, plumbers putty and suspicious documents.

“They also gave evidence of the seizure of devices and of documents which strongly indicate that they were involved in the manufacture of improvised explosive devices and that they were planning a terrorist attack on behalf of the Irish Defence Army described as a right-wing violent extremist grouping,” said Judge Cody. 

The vehicle was allegedly owned by Mr Peckauskas and it is alleged that Mr Pollock was a passenger.

“A manifesto was recovered from the boot of the vehicle outlining the intent to commit a terrorist offence,” he said. 

The court was told a black balaclava was recovered from the boot of the car on which it is alleged that DNA of Mrl Gorman was recovered Two balaclavas were recovered from the car, and it is alleged they had the DNA of Mr Pollock.

The Gardai gave evidence that the accused Mr Pollock admitted at interview that he knew they were the components of explosives and admitted to handing them.

A video recovered from the phone of Mr Pollock was played which the Gardai say was recorded at O'Moore Place, Portlaoise at approximately 9pm on November 4, 2025. This video shows four men dressed in black with a tricolour behind them. It is alleged that this was recorded in the kitchen of Mr Gorman's home. 

“All four were wearing balaclavas although they all removed the balaclavas towards the end of the video. I am satisfied that the Garda’s opinion that these three accused appear in this video is well-founded,” Judge Cody said in relation to the bail applications.  

“It is apparent that the video is a practice of a statement to be released subsequent to a successful terrorist attack. Two of the participants read a prepared statement,” he said. 

In this statement which is addressed to all citizens in the North and South of Ireland they say that they are taking a moment to speak honestly and directly recognising that everyone in the country has had enough of the poor treatment particularly of children, women and the elderly who have been left homeless starving, cold and under threat due to the number of migrants that have been brought into the country by our government. They describe this as a threat to our sovereignty and could potentially be a hostile takeover, noted Judge Cody. 

“They then say that they accept responsibility for the actions that has resulted in the destruction of the first mosque that was introduced in Ireland in County Galway. They say that they accept that this would have caused a lot of hurt (and) disappointment and destruction for foreign migrants both the legal and illegal in the community that they do not care. They say that this will not be their last attack.They describe their philosophy as an eye for an eye,” he stated. .

The group say they intend to target IPAS centres, Mosques and hotels housing migrants and that they would take it as far as necessary to achieve their goals. They call on others to join them. 

Judge Cody said that the defendants come before the court innocent men who are entitled to the presumption of innocence. 

Judge Cody said he had considered the evidence of the Gardai and the submissions of the three barristers representing the accused. 

“I believe the opinion evidence by the Gardai is well founded as I have had the opportunity of seeing and assessing the credibility of them and I am satisfied that their evidence should be accepted,” he said. 

He said the video played in court indicates that this group is intent on causing substantial damage and injury to Mosques, IPAS centres and anyone who assists or supports them.

He notes they  said "we simply do not care" and “the planned attack was a stern warning and that it will not be the last attack”. 

He said they referenced an “eye for an eye” will be their philosophy and said “they vow to rid Ireland of migrants” and state that “a dangerous beast has been poked” and threaten anyone who has helped to facilitate the erection of IPAS centres.

“Having viewed the video several times I am satisfied that the threats are real and intended,” said Judge Cody. 

He said he was satisfied to refuse bail and he remanded the defendants in custody to appear at a sitting of Portlaoise  District Court on March 23 by video link.