Teenager arrested after ‘stabbing chaplain at Irish army barracks’

The attack, which took place in Galway, has prompted a terror probe in the country

A teenager has been arrested on suspicion of stabbing an Irish army chaplain in a potential terrorist attack outside a barracks in Galway.
Paul Murphy, who is in his 50s, was stabbed several times late on Thursday before the male attacker was restrained by soldiers, police said.
The priest was taken to a hospital for serious, but non-life-threatening injuries.
Garda sources said they believe the suspected attacker, a 16-year-old Irish national from County Galway, had been radicalised online recently, The Irish Times reports.
The investigation is now being led by the Special Detective Unit, which is responsible for responding to terrorism incidents.
Gardai believed the teen had been angry about the Irish Defence Force’s ongoing presence in the Middle East. His social media is expected to form a central part of the investigation.
In a statement, the Garda said it “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 bureaus have been engaged and are active in progressing this investigation.”
It is alleged that the victim was attacked when he approached the youth outside the Renmore Barracks at around 10.45pm.
Mr Murphy, who was wearing civilian clothing at the time, ran through the barracks gate but was pursued by his attacker.
Army sentries fired five warning shots and used a baton to subdue the attacker until the Garda could arrive, the Defence Forces said, preventing the chaplain from suffering far worse injuries.
Mr Murphy thanked the public for their prayers in a post online on Friday, adding that he was awaiting surgery. “All will be well,” he wrote.
Taoiseach Simon Harris responded to the attack on Friday, saying his thoughts were with the member of the Defence Forces in hospital.
“I want to thank Defence Forces personnel and Garda for their action and response,” he added on X.
Micheál Martin, deputy defence minister and minister of defence, condemned the attack as he commended the sentries for their “critical” intervention.
“Our thoughts are with the Defence Forces member injured in the attack,” he added.
The Bidsophy of Galway, Michael Duignan, called the events “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,” he said in a statement.