Two Men Remanded Over Video Threatening Attacks on Galway Mosque and Refugee Centres

Galway: Two men have been remanded in custody by Portlaoise District Court in connection with a video threatening attacks on the Galway Muslim Mosque—believed to be Ireland’s first mosque—and several hotels housing refugees.

Gareth Pollock (35), from Annalong, was arrested by the Portlaoise Drugs and Organised Crime Unit on Tuesday evening following the discovery of a controversial video and explosives at his residence. Gardaí told the court that the seized device contained a video in which threats were made to destroy mosques and other refugee accommodation centres.

During a search conducted by a special detective unit, officers also recovered a document described as a “manifesto” linked to a far-right organisation.

The court heard that the video featured four masked men wearing balaclavas standing before an Irish tricolour, delivering threats against the Galway Mosque and vowing further attacks on other mosques, International Protection (IP) centres, and hotels sheltering migrants.

The video, styled like a terrorist statement, addressed “citizens of both the north and south of Ireland” and claimed that refugees were being prioritised over the homeless, poor, and vulnerable. It described refugees as a “threat to Irish sovereignty” and declared responsibility for the “destruction of Ireland’s first mosque,” warning that “this will not be the last attack.”

Gardaí described the allegations as extremely serious, warning that Pollock posed a significant security threat and could attempt to flee the country. Pollock’s defence lawyer stated that his client denied being one of the masked men featured in the video.

However, Judge Cody said that after reviewing the video, the Gardaí’s suspicions were well-founded, and denied bail, remanding Pollock in custody until next Thursday.

A second accused, Karolis Pekauskas (38), of Newfoundwell Road, Drogheda, Co. Louth, was also brought before the court. He was arrested in Portlaoise’s O’Moore Place on suspicion of possessing explosives. The court appointed a translator for Pekauskas and ordered that he too be remanded in custody, with a further hearing scheduled for next week.

Irish Samachar English News

Kindly click to join WhatsApp group chat to get important news and breaking news from Irish Samachar

{OR} Kindly click to follow the Irish Samachar News channel on WhatsApp