// BBC UK NEWS — CRONACA
County Down man among three jailed for planning mosque attack
Garrett Pollock pictured at a court hearing in 2025
A County Down man is among three men who have been jailed for attempting to engage in a terrorist activity, specifically damaging a mosque in Galway.
Garrett Pollock (36) of Kilhorne Greene in Annalong was sentenced to 10 and a half years with the last year suspended.
Darren Gorman (34) of O'Moore Place in Portlaoise was sentenced to eight years with the last year suspended and Karolis Peckauskas (39) of Newfoundwell Road in Drogheda was sentenced to eight years in prison with the last year suspended.
They had made advanced plans to blow up the Maryam Mosque on the Monivea Road between 4 and 5 November 2025 when they were arrested, the Special Criminal Court in Dublin heard.
Pollock also pleaded guilty to possessing an explosive substance which was found in four glass jars hidden in a drawer in his van on 4 November.
On Friday, Ms Justice Caroline Biggs said that modern Ireland is a multicultural and diverse country and that the actions of this group bring shame on the country.
It was, Biggs said, attempted arson with a terrorising message to be spread worldwide.
She added that it was clear that this was intended to be the first of many attacks.
Karolis Peckauskas pictured appearing before a court in Portlaoise in 2025