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A County Down man has been remanded in custody after appearing in court on charges related to a planned terrorist attack on a mosque, a case that casts a harsh spotlight on the growing threat of right-wing extremism in Northern Ireland. Thirty-eight-year-old Connor Pollock, of Croob Park in Ballynahinch, stood before Downpatrick Magistrate's Court on Thursday, facing multiple terrorism-related counts stemming from an investigation into the purported "Irish Defence Army."
The core of the charges against Pollock involves withholding crucial information concerning the preparation of a terrorist act, specifically an assault targeting a mosque. This charge immediately draws attention to the violent ideologies underpinning the group he is associated with. Beyond the planned religious hate crime, Pollock is also charged with possessing records or documents deemed useful to terrorists. These documents reportedly outlined threats of violence not only against facilities housing migrants but also against the individuals and organisations providing support to them, indicating a broader xenophobic and anti-immigrant agenda. Further cementing the seriousness of the investigation, he faces a charge for the possession of a mobile phone used in connection with the preparation of a terrorist act.
During the brief court appearance, a defence solicitor confirmed that no application for bail could be made immediately, citing the lack of a suitable address. However, the defence signalled its intention to lodge a formal bail application on December 15th, when the matter is scheduled to return to court. The solicitor also noted that the accused had an entirely clear criminal record prior to this investigation. Despite this, the gravity of the charges led the court to remand Pollock in custody.
The Broader Context of Anti-Muslim Hate and Updated Data-This high-profile case comes amid a significant and worrying spike in Islamophobic and right-wing extremist activity across the UK and Ireland. While the full extent of the "Irish Defence Army's" operations remains under investigation, the charges echo a rising pattern of hate crime directed at Muslim communities.
According to data compiled by monitoring groups, the year leading up to this incident has seen a disturbing number of attacks on Muslim places of worship. In the UK, data often reveals a complex picture, with reported incidents fluctuating, but the overall trend demonstrates a consistent undercurrent of anti-Muslim hostility. In short, over the past year, multiple sources have reported dozens of confirmed incidents ranging from vandalism and graffiti to attempted arson and physical assaults at or near mosques across the UK. These attacks, which may not always be labelled as "terrorism" but clearly stem from hate, often involve far-right rhetoric and symbols. The ongoing nature of this threat underscores why authorities are treating this alleged plot with the utmost severity.
