Courts / Galway / Report
Mosque bomb attack accused argues he can't get a fair trial
Summary
A man charged with an alleged terrorist plot to destroy a Galway mosque has claimed he cannot get a fair trial due to the wording of the Explosives Act. The High Court has reserved its judgment in the case brought by 39-year-old Karolis Peckauskas of Newfoundwell Road, Drogheda, Co Louth. Mr Peckauskas is charged with possession of an explosive substance – four threaded pipe end caps and six litres of hydrogen peroxide – under such circumstances as to give rise to a reasonable suspicion that he did not have it in his possession for a lawful object at O'Moore Place, Portlaoise, Co Laois on November 4 last year. Mr Peckauskas has not entered a plea in relation to the charge and a stay has been imposed on his prosecution until the resolution of his High Court challenge. Papers lodged by Mr Peckauskas' legal team claim that the wording of Section 4 of the Explosives Act places an "impermissible burden" on the applicant.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Mosque bomb attack accused argues he can't get a fair trial. Charges or matters: possession of an explosive substance – four threaded pipe end caps and six litres of hydrogen peroxide – under such circumstances as to give rise to a reasonable suspicion that he did not have it in his possession for a lawful object at O'Moore Place, Portlaoise, Co Laois on November 4 last year. Procedural stage: charge_or_pretrial
When:
- November 4 Incident
- January 26 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2026-06-17 Publication
Why: The Act's wording, lawyers for Mr Peckauskas submit, places an "impermissible burden" on the applicant because it puts an obligation on him to prove he is not morally culpable. CNI source report
Case subjects
Applicant
Charges: possession of an explosive substance – four threaded pipe end caps and six litres of hydrogen peroxide – under such circumstances as to give rise to a reasonable suspicion that he did not have it in his possession for a lawful object at O'Moore Place, Portlaoise, Co Laois on November 4 last year (Alleged Or Contested)
Outcome: Mr Justice David Keane reserved judgment in the matter.
Places mentioned
- The High Court
- High Court
- O'Moore Place
Topics
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