Laois alleged terror plot accused to face trial at the Special Criminal Court

Four men who are accused of attempting to engage in a terrorist attack on a mosque in Galway are to be sent for trial to the Special Criminal Court. 

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. 

Laois State Solicitor Tristan Lynas told a sitting of Portlaoise District Court that the books of evidence would be ready in a week. He said the prosecution was to proceed at the Special Criminal Court. 

“In respect of the book of evidence I am seeking one further week,” he told Judge Andrew Cody.  “The book of evidence is running to 1,000 pages at this point,” he explained. 

Mr Lynas said the final piece of evidence had arrived at his office a day before and he needed to complete the book. “There is one statement on which a decision will have to be made,” he said. 

David Nugent BL, for Mr Pollock, said his client and Mr Peckauskas had been in custody since last November.  

Judge Cody said the defendants would be entitled to apply for bail once the book of evidence was served on April 16. 

“I am satisfied given the nature of the offences that they are complex and they are serious,” said Judge Cody. 

Mr Nugent said “we are heading into that arena now” where he said “we are prejudiced by the amount of time we have been in detention” due to prosecutorial delay. 

Judge Cody said “each of the four accused, remanded in custody to this day week with the State to produce”.

Each of the four accused later appeared via video link and were informed of the Judge’s decision.  They will all appear in person at Portlaoise District Court on April 16.