A Catholic army chaplain has been stabbed in Ireland in an attack which may have had a terrorist motive.
Father Paul Murphy, who is in his early fifties, was stabbed multiple times on the night of August 15. The attack took place at Renmore barracks in Galway, the main city in the west of the country.
The army chaplain had been sitting in his car outside the barracks when approached by a 16-year-old boy with a knife.
As the attack commenced, soldiers at the barracks intervened – which reportedly included firing shots – and managed to apprehend the assailant.
“Friends, thank you for your prayers, love and concern,” Fr Murphy posted on <em>Facebook</em> on Friday 16 August. “Sorry that I can’t reply to all messages and take all the calls coming my way. I’m doing OK; just awaiting surgery. All will be well.”
At the time of writing, the youth was being questioned and could not be named because of his age. However, one angle being looked at is a possible terrorist motivation, due to suggestions that there were comments about the role of Irish soldiers in the Middle East – the Irish Army is involved in UN peacekeeping forces in Lebanon and Syria but has no combat role.
Reports relayed by <em>the Guardian</em> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/aug/16/catholic-priest-stabbed-by-16-year-old-outside-barracks-near-galway">claim</a> that the perpetrator, said to be an Irish national, was radicalised online. There have also been reports the radicalisation involved ISIS.
The Garda Special Detective Unit is investigating social media posts of the suspect. The attack has been strongly condemned by Ireland’s taoiseach, Simon Harris, and his deputy, Micheal Martin, as well as by opposition politicians, as well as by local Bishop Michael Duignan.
A Garda statement said: “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. 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.”
The Irish Defence Forces said: "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 stabbed by a male civilian while awaiting entry to the barracks."
Chief of Staff of Óglaigh na hÉireann (the Irish Defence Forces), Lieutenant General Seán Clancy, 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.”<br><br>The attack has caused “huge shock” according to army sources as the chaplain is “very highly regarded and well known” within the organisation, <a href="https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/army-chaplain-stabbed-outside-barracks-as-gardai-probe-terror-link/a1751685376.html"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color">reports</mark></a> the <em>Irish Independent</em>.
Bishop Michael Duignan of Galway 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.”<br><br>The stabbing in Galway follows a <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/mark-teeton-army-soldier-attack-kent-b2585678.html"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color">recent attack</mark></a> on a British Army lieutenant colonel who was stabbed repeatedly in broad daylight outside his home near an army barracks in England.
<em>Photo: The scene of the attack at Renmore Barracks; screenshot from <a href="https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/army-chaplain-stabbed-outside-barracks-as-gardai-probe-terror-link/a1751685376.html"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color">www.independent.ie</mark></a></em>.<br>
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