Two men, Garrett Pollock, 35, and Karolis Peckauskas, 38, appeared before a special sitting of Portlaoise District Court on Friday following a cross-border counter-terror operation. The arrests were made after explosives were discovered in County Down and County Laois. Pollock, from Annalong, Northern Ireland, is charged with the alleged possession of explosives at two locations, while Peckauskas, from Drogheda, County Louth, faces similar charges. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and An Garda Síochána (Irish police) conducted the operation, which also uncovered a video threatening attacks on a Galway mosque, migrant housing hotels, and International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centres. The video, featuring four masked men, was found on a device seized at Pollock’s home. It included a tri-colour flag and a manifesto for the group. Gardaí opposed bail for Pollock, citing the seriousness of the charges, his flight risk, and the potential for further terror attacks. Judge Andrew Cody described the video as a ‘practice of a statement being released subsequent to a successful terrorist attack,’ noting the men’s intention to target migrants and their rhetoric about protecting sovereignty. Pollock was remanded in custody and will reappear in court on Thursday. Peckauskas, who claimed not to understand the charges, was also remanded and is expected in court next week.