A teenager has been accused with stabbing an Army chaplain in County Galway and has appeared in court, reports Breaking News.
The 16-year-old lad, who is underage and cannot be identified, was accused of stabbing Fr. Paul Murphy on Thursday at Renmore Barracks.
After being assaulted at around 10.35 p.m., Fr. Murphy, who is in his 50s, was transported to University Hospital Galway.
He had surgery to treat several stab wounds, and is still recuperating.
The adolescent boy was hauled before the Galway Children’s Court on Saturday, where he was accused with assault with intent to cause damage, reports Breaking News.
Detective Sergeant Paul McNulty said the court that the accused had a “radical Islamist mindset” and that the attack was “frenzied.”
Police Galway Garda Station’s Conor Breen informed the court that the defendant was taken into custody on Thursday and charged at 23.31 on Friday.
Under caution, Gda Breen informed the court that the accused did not respond to the charge.
On behalf of the accused, Jack Donohue, his attorney, requested bail.
The State, according to Det Sgt McNulty of Galway Garda Station, is opposing bail due to what he called a “indiscriminate, unprovoked and frenzied” attack, reports Breaking News.
Fr. Murphy explained to the investigator that he was travelling back to the base when he pulled over to obtain admission and ran into someone.
After using a button to lower the window of his car, the accused is said to have lunged at the chaplain while brandishing an eight-inch “hunting-style” knife, which was subsequently found at the scene.
The chaplain reportedly sustained minor scratches to his torso and face in addition to “seven deep lacerations” on his arms that needed surgery, according to the court.
The “majority of the attack” was recorded on camera, according to Det Sgt McNulty, who also mentioned that there were 20 stabbing actions in a little amount of time, reports Breaking News.
He added that when Fr. Murphy attempted to drive away, the accused was allegedly seen clinging to the car to avoid being seen on camera.
The garda claimed witnesses reported that the attack went on.
He said in court that warning bullets fired by Defence Forces troops “did not deter” the accused at first, reports Breaking News.
He added that before the accused was taken into custody by gardaí, military men interfered and subdued him.
He went on to say that the victim was chosen in a “indiscriminate and arbitrary manner” and that the accused did not know Fr. Murphy.
According to Det Sgt. McNulty, there could be further charges, reports Breaking News.
According to him, the accused “holds a radical Islamist mindset,” and preliminary examination of equipment confiscated indicated information endorsing the terrorist organisation known as the Islamic State.
He went on to say that there was a “true fear” that the accused would obstruct possible witnesses, the majority of whom are army men, reports Breaking News.
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