Four men remanded on terrorist charges at Portlaoise District Court
Portlaoise Courthouse
FOUR men, including a Laois man, were sent forward for trial to the Special Criminal Court on terrorist related charges when they appeared at Portlaoise District Court last week.
Books of evidence were served on each of the accused by the Laois state solicitor Tristan Lynas, who applied for them to be sent forward for trial to a sitting of the Special Criminal Courts.
Karolis Peckauskas (38), An Tobar, 37 Newfoundwell Road, Drogheda, Co Louth is charged that on 4 November last year at O’Moore Place, Portlaoise, he was found in possession of a hunting knife. He is also charged that on 4 and 5 November, he attempted to damage by fire the Maryam Mosque, Old Cottages, Monivea Road, Galway.
He is also charged that on 4 November at O’ Moore Place, Portlaoise, he was in possession of a knuckle duster and that on the same date, two hatchets were found in his possession in a van.
Garrett Pollock (36), 12 Kilhorne Green, Annalong, Co Down is charged with attempting to damage by fire the Maryam Mosque, Old Cottages, Monivea Road, Galway. He is also charged with having in his possession explosive substances that included a glass jar with a metal lid, a cloth fuse, matches and tape, liquids and white clumped powders, all containing hydrocarbon fire accelerants, namely petrol, on 4 November at An Tobar, Newfoundwell Road, Drogheda, Co Louth and that on 4 November at O’Moore Place, Portlaoise, he was in possession of two hatchets and a knuckle duster, as well as a hunting knife.
Charles Flynn (36), 13 Castlerock Avenue, Castleconnell, Limerick and Darrenn Gorman (33), 6 O’Moore Place were both charged that on 4 and 5 November, they attempted to engage in a terrorist activity or a terrorist-linked activity by attempting to damage by fire the Maryam Mosque, Old Cottages, Monivea Road, Galway.
Counsel for Mr Peckauskas and Mr Pollock said their clients were not applying for bail.
Sending both men forward, Judge Andrew Cody remanded them in custody to await hearing and issued them with alibi warnings instructing them that should they rely on an alibi in their defence, that they must notify gardaí in writing within 14 days.
Counsel for both Mr Gorman and Mr Flynn said their clients were seeking bail, to which gardaí objected.
Following submissions from both prosecution and defence, Judge Cody sent both men forward to the Special Criminal Court and remanded both men in custody with consent to bail.
