A self-described ISIS supporter who stabbed a Garda in an unprovoked attack on Dublin’s Capel Street, as well as setting fire to the Black Forge Inn, has been sentenced to six years and six months in prison.
Abdullah Khan (24), who has an address in North Dublin and is of Pakistani origin, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to the Garda and production of a knife capable of causing serious harm, two counts of endangerment to life, as well as attempted assault of a second Garda who was present at the time.
He also pleaded guilty to setting fire to the Black Forge Inn on the 25th of July before he stabbed the Garda on the 29th of July 2025.
He also faced two charges contrary to section 6 of the Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Act 2005, for engaging in terrorist activity or terrorist-linked activity during the alleged arson on July 25 and the knife attack four days later.
Khan, whose address has been withheld by court order, pleaded guilty to criminal damage as well as engaging in terrorist activity related to the act of arson.
He shouted “Allahu Akbar” as he stabbed the Garda with a knife in the unprovoked attack, later saying that he was loyal to the founder of the Islamic terrorist group, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.
Today, before the Special Criminal Court, Khan was sentenced to a total of six years and six months in prison, which is to be backdated to the 29th of July 2025 to allow for time already spent in custody.
In her sentencing remarks, Ms Justice Karen O’Connor said that the Counter Terrorism Unit attached to the Special Detective Unit became involved in the investigation as Khan’s actions followed “the same modus operandi” as other acts of Islamic extremism due to the fact that he “shouted Allah Akbar” and was “radicalised”.
After his arrest, Khan admitted to his actions, saying that “individuals had insulted the Prophet Muhammad so that for me was unacceptable.”
He pointed to Conor McGregor, saying he was “one of the bigger” voices who has “helped the far-right grow in this country.”
“What happened was a message to him, McGregor,” he said.
Speaking of those who speak ill of the Islamic prophet, he said, “We don’t see it as a matter of free speech to mock him.”
He said that McGregor was “playing a very dangerous game.”
He also said his crimes were a message to the Irish State and that he had “difficulties with freedom of speech” and that it was the “duty” of every state to “denounce” insult of the prophet as “it’s a provocation” that can lead to “catastrophe.”
“If under the name of free speech you insult our prophet there will be people who will be angry,” he said.
Garda Gary Lynch, who suffered two stab wounds to his primary arm and is still battling with the lasting effects of his injuries, described seeing Khan waving the knife in a “figure of S” motion and first thought that he had been punched, Ms Justice O’Connor said.
When he was stabbed, he lost the ability to move his arm and “dropped to his knees, using his baton as support.”
Justice O’Connor described Khan’s relationship with his family as “rocky”, saying that he is the youngest of six and comes from a “family of professionals”.
He described himself as “always” having “been a spiritual person” and spoke of how he found the founder of ISIS to be “quite charismatic.”
He said that he had “listened to his speeches” and “Islamic psalms” and was “inspired by his ideology”, Justice O’Connor said.
She said that the Islamic State employs a “puritanist interpretation of Muslim law” in which “acts of terrorism on behalf of the ‘Salafi-jihadist cause’ are seen as ‘an individual obligation’” and that “jihad” is seen as “the legitimate use of violence”.
She said that the victims were members of An Garda Síochána who were “entrusted with keeping our citizens safe” and “should not be exposed to behaviours of this nature”.
Justice O’Connor added that the stabbing had taken place on a “pleasant sunny day” and that children were present at the time.
Speaking of the damage done to the Black Forge Inn, she said that the cost incurred was over €62,000.
Describing the impacts, Garda Lynch said he suffered from “chronic nerve pain” and that he was a fully qualified Garda for eight months when the attack took place but now is unable to engage in his duties fully and is unsure if he can continue with his career.
Although Garda Patrick Nevin was not physically injured, he described the trauma of seeing his colleague being stabbed, saying he was “unable to sleep for the first three weeks” and now feels “cautious responding to calls” and now looks “over his shoulder”.
The court noted the mitigation in the case as the guilty pleas, the “extraordinary cooperation” and the accused’s lack of previous convictions.
She stressed that there was “no psychological evidence before the court” as Khan refused to engage with a psychiatrist.
The court continued that Khan will require “structured post-release supervision” for “at least three years”.
Justice O’Connor said that the crimes were “very serious in nature” and that CCTV of the incident was “very disturbing viewing.”
She said that Khan had made “repeated attempts to stab” Garda Lynch and that both Gardaí had acted in a “professional and courageous manner.”
She added that members of the public interviewed were to be “commended for their bravery”.
The court sentenced Khan to six years for criminal damage to the Black Forge Inn, six years for assault causing harm to Garda Lynch, four years for attempting to cause harm to Garda Nevin, four years for production of a knife, and six years for terrorist activity.
For assault causing harm to Garda Lynch in the context of terrorist activity, the court sentenced Khan to seven years and six months before suspending the final year.
He was also sentenced to four years for endangerment of Garda Lynch.
All of the sentences will be concurrent with each other, and the final term of six years and six months is to be backdated to the 29th of July 2025.
After his release, for a period of four years, Khan must submit to the Probation Service and not attend any religious gatherings save for the purpose of prayerful worship. He must also inform the State if he plans to leave the jurisdiction, attend only a pre-approved mosque, not have knives outside his home, and have no association with anyone with links to Islamic terrorism or who has prior charges or convictions linked to the same.