Three Men Jailed for Planning Mosque Attack in Ireland

A County Down man, Garrett Pollock, 36, has been sentenced to 10 and a half years in prison, with the final year suspended, for his role in planning a terrorist attack on the Maryam Mosque in Galway. Two other men, Darren Gorman, 34, and Karolis Peckauskas, 39, received eight-year sentences, also with the final year suspended.

The Special Criminal Court in Dublin heard that the three men had made advanced plans to bomb the mosque between November 4 and 5, 2025, before their arrest. Pollock also pleaded guilty to possessing an explosive substance found in his van on November 4.

Ms. Justice Caroline Biggs stated that the actions of the group bring shame to Ireland, a multicultural and diverse country. She described the incident as attempted arson with a terrorizing message intended for worldwide dissemination and indicated that this was likely the first of many planned attacks.

The men were part of a group called the Irish Defence Army, which Detective Inspector Alan McDevitt described as a violent right-wing extremist organization. This group is believed to be a splinter from the online Irish Citizens Army, communicating via the Signal messaging app. Authorities were unaware of the exact timing of the planned attack, but the men intended to use improvised incendiary devices, including pipe bombs and Molotov cocktails.

Seized items included cable ties, hatchets, knives, masks, five liters of chemicals usable in pipe bombs, sunglasses, balaclavas, sealing putty, and an Irish flag.

Video Claiming Responsibility

On Pollock's phone, footage was recorded in Gorman's kitchen in Portlaoise. The video showed four masked men in tactical gear standing before an Irish flag, claiming responsibility for the "destruction of the first mosque introduced into our great country in Galway."

Pollock has expressed remorse and shame for his actions in a written letter to the court. His defense outlined that he became radicalized online after misusing alcohol and cocaine, consuming content about purported threats from immigrants. The court heard that he found a sense of belonging within extremist groups and quickly became radicalized, seeking to demonstrate his commitment. A doctor assessing Pollock noted his actions were influenced by emotional dysfunction, low self-esteem, and isolation.

Gorman's defense counsel highlighted his psychological reports, indicating submissiveness, vulnerability, drug addiction, and mental health issues, but stated he had no prior history of violence, hatred, or terrorism.