Courts / Galway / Report
Four to stand trial at Special Criminal Court in connection with attempted terrorist attack on Mosque
Summary
Four men are to stand trial at the Special Criminal Court in connection with a plot to carry out a terrorist attack on a mosque in Galway last November. The accused, Darren Gorman, Charles Flynn, Garrett Pollock, and Karolis Peckauskas, are charged with attempting to engage in a terrorist activity to damage Maryam Mosque. The charges are aggravated by hatred, and the accused are also charged with possessing offensive weapons and explosive substances. Peckauskas and Pollock are accused of having hatchets, a knuckle duster, and a hunting knife in a BMW, as well as possessing hydrogen peroxide and other explosive materials. The State solicitor applied for the trial to be held in the Special Criminal Court, and the court ordered the case to proceed with the defendants to be produced in person on May 11. The charges stem from the discovery of weapons and explosives in their possession, which were found in connection with the planned attack on the mosque. The case highlights the seriousness of the alleged plot and the potential threat to public safety.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Four to stand trial at Special Criminal Court in connection with attempted terrorist attack on Mosque. Charges or matters: attempting to engage in a terrorist activity or a terrorist-linked activity to damage by fire Maryam Mosque; having two hatchets, a knuckle duster and a hunting knife in a silver BMW; possession an explosive substance – four threaded pipe end caps and six litres of hydrogen peroxide; having in his possession an explosive substance – EMCGI – a glass jar with a metal lid, a cloth fuse, matches and tape in addition to EMCG5-EMCG10 liquids and white clumped powders. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- November 4 Incident
- November 4, 2025 Incident
- May 11 Adjournment
- 2026-05-01 Publication
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: attempting to engage in a terrorist activity or a terrorist-linked activity to damage by fire Maryam Mosque (Alleged Or Contested)
Outcome: adjourned the matter to May 11
Accused
Charges: attempting to engage in a terrorist activity or a terrorist-linked activity to damage by fire Maryam Mosque (Alleged Or Contested)
Outcome: adjourned the matter to May 11
Accused
Charges: attempting to engage in a terrorist activity or a terrorist-linked activity to damage by fire Maryam Mosque; having two hatchets, a knuckle duster and a hunting knife in a silver BMW; possession an explosive substance – four threaded pipe end caps and six litres of hydrogen peroxide; having in his possession an explosive substance – EMCGI – a glass jar with a metal lid, a cloth fuse, matches and tape in addition to EMCG5-EMCG10 liquids and white clumped powders (Alleged Or Contested)
Outcome: adjourned the matter to May 11
Accused
Charges: attempting to engage in a terrorist activity or a terrorist-linked activity to damage by fire Maryam Mosque; having two hatchets, a knuckle duster and a hunting knife in a silver BMW; possession an explosive substance – four threaded pipe end caps and six litres of hydrogen peroxide (Alleged Or Contested)
Outcome: adjourned the matter to May 11
Accused
Outcome: Mr Justice Patrick McGrath, presiding, sitting with Judge Sarah Berkeley and Judge Fiona Lydon, made the order in respect of each of the accused and adjourned the matter to May 11.
Places mentioned
- Special Criminal Court
- O'Moore Place
- Castlerock Avenue
- Newfoundwell Road
Topics
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