A 24-yr-old man told a court he stabbed a garda and set fire to the Black Forge pub in Dublin last year as a message to the Government and to the pub’s owner Conor McGregor over what he believed were insults to the Prophet Muhammad.
Abdullah Khan, whose address cannot be disclosed due to a court order, admitted guilt to eight charges, including two terrorism-related offences linked to both incidents in July last year, reports RTE.
He accepted that he carried out the stabbing and arson because he supported ISIS and jihadist ideology.
He said he was angered by Mr McGregor, whom he described as contributing to the rise of the far-right in Ireland, and by the State for allowing free speech which he believed permitted insults to the prophet, reports RTE.
He told gardaí he had been influenced by Al Zarqawi, founder of ISIS, and said he had always identified himself as a jihadist.
He said his interest began around the age of 19 or 20 but intensified over time, eventually aligning fully with ISIS ideology, reports RTE.
“I support them, I have always been a spiritual person,” he told gardaí and admitted that he had followed the four core principles, reports RTE.
“They share the same ideal as me,” he said, reports RTE.
He said he believed the Prophet Muhammad had been disrespected by individuals with right-wing views and that the State had allowed it to happen.
He described this as “outrageous” and said it “made me sad”, reports RTE.
“As far as McGregor goes,” he told officers from the Special Detective Unit which investigates terrorism, “he’s someone who helped the far-right grown in this country. I held him responsible”, reports RTE.
“He was playing a very dangerous game. When it comes to Prophet Muhammad, we don’t see it as a matter of freedom of speech. We don’t mock other religions,” he said, reports RTE.
He said the perceived insults towards the prophet were “provocative” and “hurt me a lot”.
He said he was “very angry at the State” which he believed had “a duty to denounce it”, reports RTE.
He described it as “a red line, not to be crossed. The State shouldn’t let that stuff, that was my motive”, reports RTE.
He said he had decided to attack a garda.
“Look I’m going to stab a guard,” he said, reports RTE.
“I was angry, I was going to stab a guard. I was angry at the State. I wanted to make a protest, I felt the prophet was insulted, look that’s a red line I don’t want that happening,” reports RTE.
Detective Inspector Gavin Ross of the Special Detective Unit told the court that the accused’s reasoning stemmed from Salafi jihadist ideology.
“You become a target if you insult the Prophet Muhammad,” the detective said, reports RTE.
Khan also agreed that shouting “Allahu Akbar” during the हमला was part of his terrorist intent. “I totally agree,” he said, adding “that is undeniable, Allahu Akbar, that doesn’t come out at random”, reports RTE.
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The two gardaí were conducting a high-visibility patrol on Capel Street in Dublin at 6pm on 29 July last year when Abdullah Khan approached from behind and attacked them with a knife.
The officers defended themselves using protective gear such as batons and pepper spray to restrain him before he was arrested, reports RTE.
A member of the public also stepped in to assist.
One garda was stabbed in his dominant right arm and suffered chronic nerve damage that required surgery, reports RTE.
In a victim impact statement, he said he continues to experience both physical and psychological последствия of the attack and is undergoing ongoing occupational therapy.
He said he felt a удар from behind and, upon seeing the knife, was shocked by the violent nature of the attack and thought of his partner and family, reports RTE.
He said his focus was on survival and believed he had been stabbed in the side but was unable to stop to treat himself.
He said he experiences nightmares, ongoing pain and self-doubt, and frequently replays the incident in his mind, reports RTE.
He added that the widespread circulation of the attack on social media left him feeling extremely vulnerable.
He said he became preoccupied with potential threats and overly aware of men whose behaviour seemed unusual, reports RTE.
He said he found it very difficult to be in public places and would sit facing the door in restaurants.
He said the attack has had mental, physical and moral impacts on him, reports RTE.
He said he had recently joined An Garda Síochána and that the incident has halted his life and career, leaving him questioning whether he can still perform his duties effectively.
He said he had a clear career plan but now feels left behind as his progress has been interrupted, reports RTE.
“I don’t know if my life will return to normal,” he said, reports RTE.
His colleague said he could not sleep for three weeks after the incident and would wake in panic, still afraid.
He said he remains cautious while on duty, struggles to walk on Capel Street and feels constantly on edge, reports RTE.
He said he frequently looks over his shoulder and reflects on how fortunate he and his colleague were to survive.
He also said he now associates the phrase “Allahu Akbar” with terrorism, “as a war cry”, reports RTE.
Khan, the youngest of six siblings, has no prior convictions. His defence counsel Michael Bowman said he was born and educated in Ireland but spent time in Pakistan where he experienced social isolation.
His mental health declined after returning to Ireland, and he became withdrawn, paranoid and depressed, spending most of his time alone in his room, reports RTE.
The 24-yr-old later left home and became homeless, increasingly confused and paranoid, and acknowledged he was experiencing a mental health crisis. He said he recognises the harm caused and wishes to apologise.
Ms Justice Karen O’ Connor commended both gardaí for their bravery and professionalism, reports RTE.
She said they both “displayed great courage,” particularly the घायल officer, as “he knew others would be hurt if he didn’t continue to carry out his role”, reports RTE.
“He had just been stabbed and yet he was thinking of his role, keeping people safe,” she said, adding that they “both displayed extraordinary courage, both gardaí were doing that in very difficult situation”, reports RTE.
She remanded Khan in custody and scheduled sentencing for next month, reports RTE.
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