Gardaí believe the sixteen-year old who stabbed Army chaplain, Fr Paul Murphy, on Thursday in Galway had been “radicalised” online, and are treating the incident as a possible terrorist attack. The attacker shouted comments about the Irish Defence Forces in Mali as he stabbed the priest outside Renmore barracks in the city.
Gardaí also believe the teenager had been waiting around the barracks to launch an attack on army personnel on Thursday night. The incident is being investigated by the State’s counter terrorism agency, the Special Detective Unit, and the suspect is due to appear in court today in Galway.
The Irish Times reported that Gardaí believe the teenager had been “radicalised” by “conspiracy theories regarding Irish involvement in Mali and the Middle East”.
The Irish Defence Forces have taken part in an EU Training Mission in Mali, assisting to train the Malian military to secure parts of the country which have fallen into the hands of Islamic militants linked to Al-Qaeda. Human Rights Watch this year said that the Islamist armed groups and ethnic militias are brutally attacking civilians without fear of prosecution in Mali.
Gardaí have searched the suspect’s home and examined devices and he is still being held for questioning.
Father Paul Murphy, aged in his 50s, was stabbed during the incident which took place at approximately 10.45pm. He was taken to University Hospital Galway where he required surgery, according to a statement released on his Facebook page.
Yesterday morning, the chaplain thanked people for their messages and concern in a Facebook post.
“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,” Fr Murphy wrote. “All will be well,” he added.
Fr Murphy was attacked with a knife and stabbed five times as he rolled down his car window to talk to the sentry at the army barracks. The sentry fired warning shots at the attacker and Defence Forces personnel managed to subdue him before the Gardaí and Armed Response Unit arrived.
In a statement, Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan said that “the stabbing that occurred at the Army Barracks has left us all in shock and mourning. It is essential to come together as a community during this difficult time.”
“First and foremost, I unequivocally condemn this act of violence. Such behaviour is unacceptable in any form and goes against the very tenets of our faith, which teaches us to love one another and to seek peace. Violence begets violence, and we must strive for understanding and compassion rather than resorting to harm.”
“Our priest, who has dedicated his life to serving God and our community, is now facing an unimaginable ordeal. We are praying for his swift recovery and healing – both physically and spiritually. The Church stands firmly behind him during this challenging time. I urge all members of our congregation to keep him in their thoughts and prayers as he navigates through this painful experience.”
“This incident serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of unity within our community. We must come together not only to support our injured priest but also to foster an environment where such acts do not occur again. Let us engage in dialogue about how we can promote peace, understanding, and respect among all individuals, regardless of their backgrounds or beliefs.”
“I encourage everyone to join me in prayer – not only for our wounded priest but also for the individual responsible for this act. May they find redemption and may we all work towards healing the wounds that divide us. As we gather in prayer, let us remember that forgiveness is a powerful tool that can lead us toward reconciliation.”