SPECIALIST gardai are investigating if a popular army chaplain was stabbed multiple times in a terror motivated attack.
Fr Paul Murphy, Chaplain to the Irish Defence Forces, is being treated at Galway University Hospital after being repeatedly knifed outside Renmore Army Barracks at around 10.45pm on Thursday night.
Defence Forces chaplain Fr Paul Murphy was rushed to hospital
Gardai attended the scene shortly before 11pm last night
XposureA soldier at the gate of the Renmore Army Barracks in Galway this morning[/caption]
A 16-year-old Irish suspect is in garda custody being quizzed over the attack after he was wrestled down to the ground by Defence Forces members.
It is understood he made statements about the Irish military’s involvement in Mali while carrying out the attack.
The Special Detective Unit – responsible for the investigation of threats to State security and the monitoring of persons who pose a threat on both national and international fronts – are now probing if it was a terror related attack.
As part of their probe, they are examining the boy’s social media profiles.
A spokesman said: “An Garda Siochana continue to investigate all the circumstances of the incident.
“The Special Detective Unit of An Garda Siochana 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.
“An Garda Siochana 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 underway and all relevant Bureaux have been engaged and are active in progressing this investigation.
“The Garda Commissioner has spoken to the Defence Forces Chief of Staff and wishes the injured Defence Forces member a full and speedy recovery.”
Although Fr Murphy, in his 50s, suffered serious injuries, they are non-life threatening.
He took to social media this morning and wrote: “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.”
ATTACKER ‘PINNED TO GROUND’
It is understood Fr Murphy pulled up in his car to the gates when he was targeted.
He was stabbed multiple times as the juvenile, who is Irish, kept attempting to inflict further injury.
Soldiers came out to intervene and up to three warning shots were discharged.
The man was wrestled to the ground by army personnel before gardai, who were supported by the Armed Support Unit, took him away.
While Fr Murphy was rushed off to hospital for urgent treatment.
A source told the Irish Sun: “This fella was waiting at the gate when the priest pulled up at the gates.
“The lad stabbed him and continued trying to stab him until the car came to a stop.
“The guard commander and one private came out and fired three warning shots. They got the attacker and pinned him to the ground.”
TEEN BEING QUIZZED
The boy is being detained at a station in Galway and detectives with specialist training in interviewing juveniles are being drafted in.
The scene has been preserved and a technical examination is taking place today while detectives work on establishing a motive to the attack.
Fr Murphy is a very highly regarded and well-liked member of the Defence Forces.
In June 2021, he celebrated his Silver Jubilee of ordination which marks 25 years as a priest.
At the time, he was deployed with Irish Peacekeepers serving with the UNDOF Mission in Syria.
‘HORRIFIC ATTACK’
Tanaiste and Minister for Defence Micheal Martin condemned the attack.
He said: “I commend the members of the Defence Forces on duty at the time, whose intervention was critical.
“Our thoughts are with the Defence Forces member injured in the attack.”
And Taoiseach Simon Harris added: “I have been briefed on the shocking incident outside Renmore Barracks last night and 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.”
President of PDFORRA, which represents in excess of 6500 members of the Defence Forces, told the Irish Sun: “We’re saddened by the horrific attack and our thoughts and prayers are with the chaplain.
“And our thoughts are also with our members who witnessed the attack, it’s not something that anyone wishes to witness.”
SOLDIERS RESPONDED WITH ‘APPROPRIATE FORCE’
In a statement, the Defence Forces said the discharging of shots “was taken in strict accordance with force protection protocols after a Defence Forces member was assaulted by a male civilian.”
It added: “The soldiers on duty responded to the immediate threat with appropriate force to ensure the safety of personnel and secure the area.
“The assailant was quickly detained and handed over to An Garda Síochána, who are now conducting a full investigation into the incident.
“The injured Defence Forces member was provided with immediate first aid at the scene before being transported to hospital for further treatment.
“We can confirm that the victims injuries, while serious, are not life-threatening.
“The Defence Forces are committed to the safety and security of all personnel and will continue to cooperate fully with An Garda Síochána in their investigation.”
Chief of Staff of Oglaigh na hEireann, Lieutenant General Seán Clancy, firstly extended his best wishes to the injured Chaplain, saying: “Our thoughts are with our injured comrade, and we wish him a full and speedy recovery.
“The well-being of our personnel is our utmost priority, and we will continue to support him during this time.”
Fr Paul Murphy is being treated at Galway University Hospital
The scene has been preserved and a technical examination is taking place todayRTE News
Defence Forces chaplain, Fr Paul Murphy, was stabbed multiple times Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
