Galway mosque bomb plotters claim radicalisation by anti-immigrant groups

Garrett Pollock and Darren Gorman pleaded guilty to attempting to bomb the Maryam Mosque in Galway. Both claim they have since distanced themselves from radical influences.

Bomb plot defendants cite online radicalisation ahead of Galway mosque sentencing

Two men who attempted to bomb a mosque in Galway have told the Special Criminal Court they were radicalised by anti-immigrant groups online but have since cut ties with those influences, the Irish Times reports.

Garrett Pollock (36), of Kilhorne Greene, Annalong, Co Down, and Darren Gorman (34), of O'Moore Place, Portlaoise, Co Laois, appeared before the three-judge court on Friday for pleas in mitigation. Both have pleaded guilty to attempting to engage in terrorist activity or a terrorist-linked activity — an offence aggravated by hatred.

A third defendant, Karolis Peckauskas (39), of Newfoundwell Road, Drogheda, Co Louth, entered his guilty plea earlier in the week and offered an apology, saying he too had been radicalised through online groups.

Between 4th and 5th November 2025, the three men attempted to set fire to the Maryam Mosque at Old Cottages, Monivea Road, Galway. The plot was foiled when gardaí conducting a routine drug stop grew suspicious of the car in which Pollock and Peckauskas were travelling. A search of the boot uncovered bomb-making equipment, a manifesto for a group calling itself the Irish Defence Army — complete with crests and logos — and a statement, written in the past tense, claiming responsibility for bombing the mosque.

Pollock: alcohol, cocaine and radical online content

Solicitor Kevin White, representing Pollock, told the court his client is "deeply ashamed" of his behaviour and apologises "unreservedly" to all those affected. A psychiatric report prepared for the hearing described Pollock as a former gym instructor who began abusing alcohol and cocaine in 2024 following a relationship breakdown, subsequently losing his job.

During that period, Pollock spent hours consuming radical content online — including AI-generated material depicting immigrants as a threat to Irish communities. He began communicating with members of the Irish Citizens Army, a radical anti-immigrant organisation, and was drawn into smaller, more extreme groups where, the report noted, he found a sense of belonging. The psychiatrist concluded that Pollock was not acting from firm ideological conviction but in the context of poor mental health, substance abuse and low self-esteem.

Gorman: diagnosed with "extreme submissiveness"

Solicitor Marc Thompson, for Gorman, said a psychologist had found his client to be vulnerable and had diagnosed him with "extreme submissiveness". Thompson told the court that Gorman has no history of violence, aggression or hatred and "certainly no history of terrorism."

Thompson stressed that Gorman was not present in the car when gardaí intervened. His involvement emerged from subsequent investigations revealing his participation in a chat group called Shadows of Eire, where members discussed the attack. He also drove a vehicle linked to the group's activities, sourced an accelerant intended for use in the explosives, purchased clothing for the group and pledged financial contributions.

Thompson described Gorman as a drug addict with mental health difficulties who has nonetheless remained drug-free throughout his time on bail ahead of the sentencing hearing. He asked the court to structure the sentence "to allow light at the end of the tunnel," adding that Gorman has had no further contact with radical influences.

Sentencing adjourned to 13th October

Judge Caroline Biggs, sitting with Judge Sarah Berkeley and Judge Kevin Staunton, adjourned sentencing until 13th October. All three men were remanded in custody until that date.

Source: Irish Times