The 16-year-old who has been charged following a stabbing incident at the Irish army barracks in Renmore, Co Galway last week was remanded into further custody today, August 20.
The teen, who cannot be named as he is a minor, appeared via video link in Galway District Court on Tuesday. He did not speak during the minutes-long hearing except to confirm his identity.
According to the Irish Times, defence solicitor Jack Donohue had no objection to the State application for the teen to be further remanded in custody and to appear by video-link before Galway District Court on September 2 for DPP directions.
Donohue told Judge Gerard Furlong that psychological services which the judge requested be made available to the teenager had not yet been provided.
Judge Furlong repeated his request that appropriate medical and psychological care be made available to the teenager who is in custody at Oberstown Children’s Detention Campus in Dublin.
Judge Furlong, who had refused a bail application for the teen on Saturday, said on Tuesday that any bail application at this point was a matter for the High Court.
The teenager’s parents, who were present in court on Saturday, also attended Tuesday's hearing.
The teen has been charged with assault causing harm after he allegedly stabbed Fr Paul Murphy, the chaplain at the Renmore Army Barracks in Co Galway, on Thursday night, August 15.
Gardaí said on Friday morning that they and members of the Garda Armed Support Unit responded to an incident at the barracks at approximately 10:45 pm on Thursday.
Fr Murphy received a number of stab wounds during the incident, Gardaí said, and was taken to University Hospital Galway for treatment of injuries that were serious but not life-threatening.
Gardaí said on Friday that a male youth in his teens was restrained by members of the Defence Forces and arrested by Gardaí at the scene.
The Defence Forces separately said that personnel on the scene fired warning shots as the situation unfolded.
The teen was charged late on Friday night, Gardaí said, and appeared at Galway District Court on Saturday afternoon.
The Irish Examiner reported that in court on Saturday, Detective Sergeant Paul McNulty said that the attack was "indiscriminate, unprovoked and frenzied," and gardaí believe the accused holds a "radical Islamist mindset."
The incident unfolded when Fr Murphy encountered an individual when he stopped his car to gain entry to the army base Det Sgt McNulty told the court.
Fr Murphy pressed a button to roll down his vehicle's window and it is alleged that the accused lunged at the chaplain with an eight-inch "hunting-style" knife which was later recovered from the scene.
The court heard the chaplain had "seven deep lacerations" to his arms which required surgery, as well as minor cuts to his body and face.
Det Sgt McNulty said CCTV from the barracks captured the "majority of the attack," adding that there were 20 stabbing movements over a short period of time.
He said it was alleged that the accused clung to the vehicle as Fr Murphy tried to drive away, out of picture of the CCTV.
The warning shots fired by personnel did not deter the accused, Det Sgt McNulty said, adding that military personnel intervened and subdued the teen before he was arrested by gardaí.
Father Paul Murphy.
Meanwhile, RTÉ News reported on Monday that Fr Murphy has been released from the hospital.
After the incident, Fr Murphy said in a post on social media on Friday morning: “Friends, thank you for your prayers, love, and concern.
“Sorry that I can't reply to all messages and take all the calls coming my way.
“I'm doing okay; just awaiting surgery. All will be well.”
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