Man arrested in far-right extremism probe had two Sinn Féin applications denied

The man's partner, a Sinn Féin member in Laois, has been expelled from the party following the arrest, which is part of a garda investigation into far-right extremism. Picture: Niall Carson/PA

A man arrested as part of a cross-border terrorism-related investigation had two Sinn Féin membership applications declined.

The man's partner, a Sinn Féin member in Laois, has been expelled from the party following the arrest, which is part of a garda investigation into far-right extremism.

The man, aged in his 30s, was arrested on Wednesday afternoon in Laois.

His partner was expelled from Sinn Féin after another member contacted the party’s head office last Friday to inform it that her home had been raided as part of the investigation.

The Irish Examiner understands that the woman joined the party as a member in November 2024, “just before” the general election. She never contested any election.

However, a Sinn Féin spokesman confirmed that the man arrested on Wednesday had previously applied to become a member.

“He applied for membership of the party on November 21, 2024, and again on August 28, 2025, but was not accepted into membership,” he said.

'Due diligence'

The Irish Examiner understands that the membership was declined due to previous convictions.

A Sinn Féin spokesman stated that the party does “due diligence with the local party on membership applications”.

However, both the man arrested on Wednesday and the woman expelled from the party have been photographed with party leader Mary Lou McDonald and Laois-based senator Maria McCormack.

Declan Kearney, Sinn Féin’s national chairperson, said the organisation would “not allow our party to be exposed to any far-right elements”.

Two different men appeared in court last week charged with possession of explosives in relation to the cross-border terrorism related investigation. 

The court heard that charges against Karolis Peckauskas, aged 38, of Newfoundwell Rd, Drogheda, Co Louth, and Garrett Pollock, aged 35, with an address at Kilhorne Green, Annalong, Co Down, arose from a garda investigation into an alleged planned terrorist attack by a right-wing extremist group.

It also heard details of a video which contained what appeared to be a practice statement that would be released after a successful attack to be conducted on a Galway mosque. The judge stated that the video contained further threats to target Ipas centres, hotels, and mosques.

On Thursday, Mr Pollock briefly appeared before Portlaoise District Court via video link. He was remanded in custody until the next court appearance on November 27.