Teen planned attack on Galway army chaplain for days

A 16-year-old boy who gardaí believe was radicalised online is being questioned by detectives after he stabbed a priest at an Army barracks in a suspected terror attack.

The teenager, from Co. Galway, stabbed the chaplain to the Defence Forces at Renmore Barracks in Galway at about 10.45pm on Thursday, in an incident that saw Fr Paul F Murphy, 52, suffer several non-life-threatening wounds.

Security sources have told the Irish Daily Mail the matter is being investigated as a ‘legitimate terror incident’ and that gardaí believe the teenager had planned the attack days before he stabbed the cleric.

The sentries on duty at the time of the incident are being credited with saving the life of Fr Murphy, as well as stopping the aggressor by using reasonable force.

The suspect is understood to have approached the chaplain while he was sitting in his car waiting for the barracks gates to open.

As Fr Murphy, who was wearing civilian clothes, lowered his window he was immediately attacked with a knife.

In a desperate effort to escape, the priest drove forward while the attacker clung to the vehicle.

Witnessing the serious incident unfolding, the armed members on duty fired five warning shots in accordance with force protection protocols.

Up to three soldiers then wrestled the attacker to the ground and restrained him until the Garda Armed Support Unit arrived some minutes later.

As he was being arrested, the teenager is understood to have made negative comments about the Defence Forces’ involvement in the West African country of Mali.

The chaplain received immediate first aid from Defence Forces personnel at the scene before being rushed to hospital for treatment of serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

As part of their investigation, gardaí searched the suspect’s address in Galway and seized several items, including mobile phones, a laptop and extremist literature.

Detectives are also trawling through the teenager’s history on social media, where it’s understood he aired his fanatical views in recent days.

Gardaí now fear the suspect had been radicalised online. However, they do not believe there was anyone else behind the attack.

The imam of Galway Mosque, noting the scenes of chaos and disorder across the UK in recent weeks after three children were fatally stabbed, is now appealing for calm as rumours circulate on social media over the attack on the Army chaplain.

Imam Ibrahim Noonan, of the Maryam Mosque in Ballybrit, said that his message is: ‘Don’t listen to these rumours, don’t get ignited by this.’

He continued: ‘The Muslim community in Galway right now, there is tension and worry there. Please, we should keep calm. The Muslim community in Galway are peaceful, loving citizens of this city. We love this city and we would never allow such attacks by any Muslim, any extremist. We’d be the first to stand in front of any Catholic or Protestant church to defend it.’

The imam said he knows the victim, describing him as an ‘innocent and good priest.’

In a statement, Bishop of Galway Michael Duignan said: ‘News of the assault on a Catholic priest, who is presently serving as chaplain to the Irish Defence Forces in Galway, is deeply shocking and upsetting. I pray for the injured man, asking God that he would make a full recovery. I pray too for his family, for his Army colleagues and for the medical personnel who are tending to his injuries at this time.’

A Garda spokesman said: ‘An Garda Síochána continues to investigate all the circumstances of the incident. The Special Detective Unit of An Garda Síochána is involved in this investigation.

‘One line of enquiry is to establish if this attack had a terrorism motivation.

‘The suspect remains in detention and is being questioned in a Garda station in the North Western region. Their period of detection has recently been extended.’

The spokesman added: ‘An Garda Síochána wishes to reassure the public that at this time it is not believed this incident is part of a wider conspiracy.

‘A thorough investigation is under way and all relevant bureaux have been engaged and are active in progressing this investigation.’

A security source said: ‘It’s still very early in the investigation but what gardaí believe at this stage is that this young man had recently converted to Islam and had an issue with Irish peacekeeping forces being deployed to Mali. Right now, detectives are looking at the arrested man’s relatives who they believe might have a history within the Defence Forces. They are looking at every potential reason he went to the barracks and attacked this priest.

‘In every attack like this, there’s obviously a mental health issue, but you could say that about any violent crime, really. The gardaí were quick to say they were investigating a terror aspect to this, which is extremely rare.

‘They believe that this was a pre-planned attack based on this young person’s extremist views. The guards will look at his recent history online as well to see if he might have been encouraged to carry out this attack by others.’

Fr Murphy continues to be treated at University Hospital Galway. The chaplain thanked the many people who have offered him their well-wishes.

‘Friends, thank you for your prayers, love, and concern,’ he wrote on social media yesterday, where he was inundated with hundreds of messages of support.

He continued: ‘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.’

In a statement, the Defence Forces explained that the use of live ammunition was a necessary course of action. It said: ‘This action was taken in strict accordance with established force protection protocols after a Defence Forces chaplain was stabbed by a male civilian while awaiting entry to the barracks.

‘Upon witnessing the assault, the soldiers on duty responded swiftly and appropriately to the immediate threat, using necessary force to ensure the safety of all personnel and to secure the area. This included the firing of live ammunition as warning shots.

‘The assailant was promptly detained and handed over to An Garda Síochána upon their arrival, and a full investigation into the incident is now being conducted by An Garda Síochána.’

The Defence Forces can confirm that an incident occurred last night at Dún Uí Mhaoilíosa, Renmore, Co. Galway, where shots were fired by on-duty personnel. This action was taken in strict accordance with established force protection protocols after a Defence Forces Chaplain was… pic.twitter.com/BDpC3j0Wug

— Óglaigh na hÉireann (@defenceforces) August 16, 2024

Lieutenant General Seán Clancy, Chief of Staff of Óglaigh na hÉireann, extended his best wishes to the injured chaplain.

‘Our thoughts are with our injured comrade, and we wish him a full and speedy recovery,’ he said, adding that ‘the well-being of our personnel is our utmost priority, and we will continue to support him during this time’.

Lieutenant Clancy also commended the actions of the soldiers on duty at the time of the incident. He commented: ‘The swift and decisive response by our personnel [on Thursday] night was exemplary, and in keeping with the highest standards of the Defence Forces and our values.

‘Their professionalism ensured that a dangerous situation was quickly brought under control, protecting the lives of others in the vicinity.

‘There is no doubt that their actions were critical in preventing further harm or loss of life.’

He also extended his gratitude for An Garda Síochána’s ‘rapid response’ and ongoing assistance in the investigation.

‘We will continue to cooperate fully with their efforts to bring this matter to a thorough and just conclusion,’ he said.

Lieutenant Clancy added: ‘The Defence Forces remain committed to ensuring the safety and security of all its members and will continue to act in accordance with our duty to protect those under our care.’

A technical examination of the scene was carried out by the Divisional Scenes of Crime Unit yesterday as senior politicians reacted to the incident.

I have been briefed on the shocking incident outside Renmore Barracks last night & my thoughts are with the member of the defence forces in hospital. I want to thank defence forces personnel & Gardai for their action and response.

— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) August 16, 2024

Taoiseach Simon Harris said a serious line of inquiry is being pursued, stressing the importance of allowing gardaí to ‘establish all the facts’.

‘I have been kept informed of the trajectory of the investigation by the Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee, who is being briefed by An Garda Síochána,’ he said.

‘A serious line of inquiry is being pursued and at this time it is important to allow gardaí to work to establish all the facts.

Additional reporting by Garreth McNamee.

**This article was originally published on Extra.ie.”