Three men have admitted attempting to carry out a terrorist attack on a mosque in Galway after investigators uncovered improvised explosive devices, weapons and encrypted messages detailing plans to attack the building.
Karolis Peckauskas, 39, Darren Gorman, 34, and Garrett Pollock, 36, pleaded guilty before Ireland’s Special Criminal Court to attempting to engage in terrorist or terrorist-linked activity.
The offence related to an attempt between November 4 and 5, 2025, to set fire to the Maryam Mosque at Old Cottages, Monivea Road, Galway.
The court heard the offence was aggravated by hatred.
Group Called Itself ‘Irish Defence Army’
Detective Inspector Alan McDevitt told the court the defendants were connected to a group styling itself the “Irish Defence Army”.
He described it as a right-wing extremist terrorist organisation with an anti-immigration ideology.
The group had formed in October 2025 as a splinter from another organisation known as the Irish Citizens Army.
Investigators said the discovery of explosive and incendiary devices demonstrated that the threat had moved beyond rhetoric and that an attack was considered imminent.
Plan To Smash Mosque Windows And Throw Bombs Inside
The court heard the group intended to make what it described as a “public statement” by attacking the Maryam Mosque.
The plan involved smashing the mosque’s windows with sledgehammers before throwing pipe bombs or incendiary devices inside.
Investigators later found that a statement claiming responsibility for the bombing had already been written in the past tense, despite the attack never taking place.
‘Shadows Of Eire’ Signal Group
Police examination of Pollock’s phone revealed an encrypted Signal group called “Shadows of Eire”.
Members used the group to discuss the planned mosque attack and share information about the construction of improvised explosive devices.
The court heard Pollock had used artificial intelligence to create a manual explaining how to manufacture IEDs before distributing it to other members.
Four IEDs Found Hidden In Van
Gardaí searched a Citroen Dispatch van linked to Pollock which was parked outside Peckauskas’s home in Drogheda.
Inside a concealed drawer, officers discovered four improvised explosive devices.
Det Insp McDevitt said investigators believed Pollock had previously tested explosives he had manufactured to establish whether they worked.
Pollock also pleaded guilty to possessing an explosive substance in circumstances giving rise to suspicion that it was not intended for a lawful purpose.
Police Stop Prevented Attack
The plot began to unravel on November 4, 2025, when Garda drug officers stopped Pollock and Peckauskas in a black BMW in Portlaoise.
Officers became suspicious after Pollock appeared evasive and nervous, with his leg visibly shaking.
Both men were carrying knives.
A search of the vehicle uncovered equipment including tactical vests, cable ties, hatchets, a lump hammer, masks, knives, pipe cap ends and around five litres of peroxide, which can be used in the manufacture of explosives.
Police also found the group’s emblem, changes of clothing, gloves and knuckle dusters.
When officers asked Pollock to explain the items, he replied: “We’ve done nothing yet.”
Video Warned Of Further Attacks
Investigators also recovered a video in which the group threatened further attacks.
Members said “an eye for an eye is going to be our approach going forward”.
The video identified mosques as potential targets, alongside people involved in providing accommodation for international protection applicants and estate agents who housed migrants.
The group claimed women and children would generally not be targeted, while adding an exception for women it deemed a threat.
Police Say Minorities Were Intended Targets
Det Insp McDevitt said the evidence demonstrated an intention to target minority groups.
He said the combination of explosives, incendiary materials, weapons and planning suggested the proposed attack represented a real and imminent threat.
Three Men Plead Guilty
Peckauskas, of Newfoundwell Road, Drogheda, Co Louth, pleaded guilty to attempting to engage in terrorist activity.
Gorman, of O’Moore Place, Portlaoise, Co Laois, admitted the same offence.
Pollock, of Kilhorne Greene, Annalong, Co Down, also pleaded guilty to attempting to engage in terrorist activity as well as the separate explosives offence.
Peckauskas Says He Became Radicalised Online
Peckauskas has no previous convictions.
His barrister told the court that he had become radicalised after joining online groups and consuming conspiracy theories.
The defence said he now offered a “sincere remorse and a sincere apology”, particularly to Muslims who attend mosques in Ireland.
In a letter to the court, Peckauskas said the offence did not reflect who he was and that he regretted allowing himself to be drawn into the group.
His barrister also pointed to his work record and conduct while in custody.
Others To Make Mitigation Pleas
Pollock has previous convictions including road traffic offences and one conviction for resisting and obstructing police in Northern Ireland.
Gorman has six previous convictions for road traffic offences.
Lawyers representing Gorman and Pollock are due to make submissions in mitigation before the Special Criminal Court next Friday.
