Planned mosque attack was at advanced stage, court told
Three men have pleaded guilty to planning a terrorist attack on a mosque in Galway, Ireland, using improvised incendiary devices. The group, identifying as the 'Irish Defence Army,' was in the advanced stages of preparation when arrested by authorities.
Why it matters
The case underscores the threat posed by right-wing extremist groups and the effectiveness of law enforcement in preventing hate-motivated terrorist acts.
Three members of a terrorist organisation who were planning to blow up a mosque in Galway were at an advanced stage of preparation when they were arrested, the Special Criminal Court was told.
Detective Inspector Alan McDevitt told the court that the gardaí did not know when the attack was due to take place but that the men had planned to use improvised incendiary devices known as "Molotov cocktails" and "pipe bombs".
Thirty-six-year-old Garrett Pollock of Kilhorne Greene, Annalong, Co Down; 34-year old Darren Gorman of O'Moore Place in Portlaoise; and 39-year old Karolis Peckauskas with an address at Newfoundwell Road, Drogheda, Co Louth, all pleaded guilty to attempting to engage in a terrorist activity, namely damaging by fire the Maryam Mosque on the Monivea Road in Galway between 4 and 5 November 2025.
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