Four in court over alleged Irish Defence Army ‘right-wing extremist’ Galway mosque plot

Four men have appeared in court charged over an alleged “violent right-wing extremist” plot to target a mosque in Co Galway.

Garrett Pollock (35), Karolis Peckauskas (38), Charles Flynn (35), and Darren Gorman (33), all appeared before a sitting of Portlaoise District Court, charged with a variety of offences related to an alleged attempt to set fire to the mosque in November of last year.

The court also later heard that gardai had information that other people with similar views to one of the accused had attempted to identify the home address of an investigating officer involved in the case.

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In objecting to bail for three of the accused, gardaí played a video in court showing four men wearing balaclavas standing in front of a tricolour in what gardai allege is Mr. Gorman’s kitchen at O’Moore Place, Portlaoise, Co. Laois, around 9pm on November 4 last year. In the video a masked speaker claims they are the “Irish Defence Army” and are responsible for the “destruction” of the Galway mosque. Gardai would later tell the court that the group poses a threat to migrants and members of the Islamic community, and were planning further attacks.

Darren Gorman(Image: Collins Photo Agency Dublin)

In the video the man states that this won’t be the group’s last attack and described their philosophy as “an eye for an eye. A speaker in the video, goes on to say that they “simply do not care” and that this will not be their last attack. They also indicate in the video that their threats apply to anyone who has helped facilitate the erection of IPAS centres—and that they vow to rid Ireland of migrants.

Charles Flynn, 35, of Castlerock Avenue in Castleconnell, Co. Limerick, appeared before the court charged with attempting to engage in terrorist activity or terrorist-linked activity by attempting to damage the Maryam Mosque in Galway by fire. A Detective Garda with the Special Detective Unit, who cannot be identified by court order, said that Mr. Flynn responded “I apologise for my actions,” when charged after caution.

Darren Gorman (33) of O’Moore Place in Portlaoise, Co Laois meanwhile was also charged with attempting to engage in terror activity or a terrorist-linked activity by attempting to damage the Maryam Mosque in Galway by fire on November 4th and 5th last. A Detective Garda with the Special Detective Unit said the accused made “no reply” when charged after caution.

Karolis Peckauskas (Image: Collins Photo Agency Dublin)

In objecting to bail, gardai said the alleged offence in relation to the terror charge carries a term of up to 10 years. He said Mr Gorman was stopped and searched and brought to Portlaoise Garda station. Four threaded pipe ends and bottles of hydrogen peroxide were recovered inside the vehicle, the Garda said. He said an examination of devices “strongly indicate” a plan to manufacture explosive devices.

He said that documents seized indicated that Mr Gorman was involved in the “planning of a “terrorist attack” on behalf of a group called the ‘Irish Defence Army.’ Gardai, he said, had located a manifesto document which outlined the intent of the group in the boot of a vehicle.

He said a Garda examination of a device belonging to one of the co-accused discovered a video featuring four masked men – one of whom they alleged was Mr Gorman. The group in the video say they are the Irish Defence Army and claim responsibility for an attack on the mosque in Galway, stating that they are responsible for its “destruction.”

The Detective Garda told the court that gardai found “strong evidence” that an attack on the Galway mosque was “imminent” and that Mr. Gorman was a member of a “violent right-wing extremist group” involved in planning further terrorist attacks. Evidence gathered from the video recovered indicated that the group intended to further target other mosques and IPAS centres if the Galway attack was successful, the court was told.

In objecting to bail for Mr Flynn, another Detective Garda also outlined that he believed the accused was a member of this “violent right-wing extremist group.” He said the group “identified IPAS centres as legitimate targets.”

Similar evidence was given in relation to the devices found in the vehicle, the manifesto, and the video played in court. The Detective Garda alleged in court that it was clear that Mr Flynn was involved in the manufacture of explosive devices. He said he believed if granted bail the applicant would fail to answer given the seriousness of the charge – and that he would “continue his affiliation” with a violent right wing group.

During the bail hearing Mr Flynn spoke up in court and said “do I not get a chance to talk?”

After frequent commentary from the accused Judge Cody said “this is not a Judge Judy court,” and told them to stay silent. Defence Counsel for Mr Gorman said his client has young children, resides with his family and is in receipt of a disability allowance. He was arrested originally in November 2025 and had no further dealings with gardai until today. He “denies the charges before the court,” Counsel said and was going to defend his position. Mr Gorman has “long-standing” mental health issues, he added.

Counsel for Mr Flynn said he has a young family and resides in Limerick – a “considerable distance from the mosque in question.” He said the evidence against his client largely comprises of implements found in the car that he’s not a registered owner of. His ties to this come from the video seen in court, he said. He said Mr Flynn has a possible avenue to object to the evidence brought against him, citing that it was circumstantial in nature.

A Detective Sergeant said the evidence will show the video was recorded on November 4th at approximately 9pm. The traffic stop was at approximately 11pm, two hours later – and they were arrested at approximately 1am on November 5th.

Mr. Peckauskas (38), with an address on Newfoundwell Road in Drogheda, Co. Louth, is charged with possessing a hunting knife, two hatchets and a knuckle duster in a silver BMW vehicle alleged to be his at O’Moore Place in Portlaoise, Co. Laois, on November 4 last. It is allehed he intended to use these to incapaciate a perosn during terorrist activity.

He is further charged with attempting to engage in a terrorist activity or terrorist-linked activity by damage by fire to the Maryam Mosque in Galway on the 4th and 5th of November that year.

Giving evidence of arrest, charge and caution, a Detective Garda from the Special Detective Unit who cannot be identified, said the accused replied, “Not mine,” regarding the possession charges after caution, and, “Was not mentioned in the video,” regarding the terror charge. Mr Peckauskas did not apply for bail and was remanded into custody.

Garrett Pollock (35) with an address at Kilhorne Green, Annalong in Co Down, is charged with attempting to engage in a terrorist activity or terrorist-linked activity by attempting to damage by fire the Maryam Mosque in Galway in an offence motivated by hatred on November 4th and 5th of last year.

He is also further accused of knowingly having in his possession an explosive substance in a Citroen Dispatch van at An Tobar, Newfoundwell Road in Drogheda, Co Louth on November 4th last year. He is also charged with having two hatchets, a hunting knife and a knuckle duster in his possession that he intended to use to incapacitate or intimidate a person during a terrorist activity or terrorist-linked activity.

In objecting to bail in relation to Mr Pollock, a Detective Garda who cannot be identified said that three pipe end caps and bottles of hydrogen peroxide, plumbers putty, two axes, a knuckle duster and a hunting knife were all found in a car he was stopped in.

An examination of devices indicated that Mr Pollock had knowledge of and was planning a terrorist attack, the Garda told the court. The accused man, he said, made admissions in relation to the items found in the vehicle.

The Det Gda also outlined that it is alleged Mr Pollock is one of the masked men speaking in the video, reading a statement with the intention to “take violent action.”

Mr Pollock’s DNA was subsequently found on two balaclavas which were recovered from the vehicle, the Garda said. The accused man holds an “anti-Islamic” view and has no regard for the law of this country, the Garda further alleged, and he has “no ties” to the Republic of Ireland.

Mr Pollock is a “participant” in a violent right-wing organisation, and officers have obtained information that persons with “similar right-wing beliefs” as him have attempted to ascertain the address of an investigating officer involved in this investigation, the Garda told the court.

He told the court that gardai are concerned that Mr Pollock is a flight risk even without a passport as he could “easily take a ferry from the North to the mainland UK.” Gardai are also concerned that he may use “criminal or right-wing connections to leave the jurisdiction.”

In ruling against bail for all three men, Judge Cody said that after viewing the video several times “I am satisfied that the threats are real and intended.” He said therefore he was satisfied that the prosecution had established that refusal was needed “to prevent the commission of further serious offences.”

He remanded all four accused into custody – to appear next before the court on March 23rd by video link. The court heard that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has directed a trial on indictment – and that a venue is awaited.

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