Man charged in connection with cross-border terror plot appears in court

A Northern Ireland man charged with terror offences linked to a cross-border police investigation into a planned attack on a Galway mosque has appeared again in court.

Connor Pollock, from Croob Park in Ballynahinch, Co Down, appeared via videolink from HMP Maghaberry at Downpatrick Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.

The 38-year-old, who is charged with three offences under the UK Terrorism Act, was told he will appear before the court again on January 29.

The charges relate to an alleged plot by a group styling itself as the Irish Defence Army (IDA) to attack the mosque and also target accommodation facilities used to house migrants.

The court was previously told there was a “15-point” plan for the proposed attack on the mosque, which also contained code names and specific roles for five members of an “active service unit” of the IDA.

Pollock is charged with having information that would be of assistance in preventing an act of terrorism, possessing information likely to be useful to a person committing or planning an act of terrorism and possessing a phone that was connected with the commission, preparation or instigation of an act of terrorism.

Two men, including Pollock’s brother Garrett, have appeared before courts in the Republic of Ireland charged in connection with the alleged planned attack.