A SINN Fein activist being held on suspicion of being part of an extremist group’s plot to bomb a mosque urged people to vote for the party last year, declaring: “Let’s bring our country back.”
The man, in his 30s, terrorism probe into the far-right ‘Irish Defence Army’ group’s activity.
He remains in a Midlands garda station being quizzed by the Special Detective Unit.
Although not a member of first of a string of sensational revelations on Wednesday.
The man in custody helped put up posters at a local level in a Leinster town and also backed the party in last year’s general election in online posts.
He and his partner were pictured with Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald last year.
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The Irish Sun has also learned that on one online platform he shared anti-immigration posts.
Gardai had raided the couple’s home last week, outside of where a video was allegedly recorded.
The footage showed a “practice statement” where four men took responsibility for an attack on a Galway mosque and named other targets in it.
Sinn Fein subsequently confirmed that the couple were signed into Leinster House on two occasions this year.
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The party said: “On 16th July they were signed in by Senator Maria McCormack for a endometriosis debate in the Dail.
“On 17th June they were signed in by a staff member in Maria McCormack’s office, at her request, on the day of a housing protest outside the Dail.”
‘HUGE CONCERN’
They also attended an United Ireland Sinn Fein conference six weeks ago in Dublin, which newly-elected President Catherine Connolly addressed.
It said he applied for party membership on two occasions, on November 21, 2024, and again on August 28, 2025, but was not accepted.
Two other men have been charged with possession of explosives as part of the counter terrorism investigation.
Sinn Fein’s National Chairperson Declan Kearney said: “Last week’s arrest of two individuals alleged to be far right extremists has caused huge concern across the country.
“The party was informed on Friday night that the home of a female party member and her partner had been raided and he has since been arrested.
“The female party member was expelled from the party on Saturday evening as she failed to notify the party that her home was raided or inform the party about the associated seriousness of this situation.
“As this is a live and serious Garda investigation we cannot say anymore at this time.”
PARTY TARGETED
Speaking generally, Mr Kearney added: “We will not allow our party to be exposed to any far-right elements. The far-right have targeted our party for several years now with death threats, pickets on members’ homes and offices and more recently violent actions. We have worked carefully with the Gardai, who have been active and vigilant in the face of these threats.”
In relation to the man arrested but not charged, a garda spokesman said: “On Wednesday 12th November 2025, Gardai arrested a third male in Co Laois as part of this cross border terrorism related investigation.
“The male, aged in his 30s, is currently detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act, 1939 at a Garda Station in the midlands.
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“The investigation continues to be led by An Garda Siochana Special Detective Unit.”
Gardai later said that this man was released without charge.
