LAST UPDATE | 16 Aug 2024

A TEENAGER HAS been arrested after an army chaplain aged in his 50s was seriously injured in a suspected stabbing at a barracks in Galway last night

The incident took place at approximately 10.45pm at Renmore Army Barracks when a male youth approached the chaplain and allegedly attacked him.

Gardaí have said in a statement that one aspect of their investigation is to establish if there was a terror motive in the attack. Their anti-terror investigators the Special Detective Unit are involved in the probe. 

It is understood that gardaí believe the chaplain was in his car entering the barracks when he was approached by the teenager.

Padre Father Paul F Murphy, who is a member of the clergy attached to the barracks, received a number of stab wounds but it’s believed the injuries are not life-threatening.

Fr Murphy drove his car into the barracks to get away from the attacker and then the soldiers from the guardroom emerged. 

Gardaí have said they are not looking for any one else in connection with the incident and do not believe it is a broader conspiracy.

Padre Father Paul Murphy who was seriously injured in a stabbing last night at the Renmore army barracks in Galway.

He was taken to University Hospital Galway for treatment following the incident.

It is understood the priest was in civilian attire and sitting in his car that had no identifying marks. 

In a post on Facebook this morning, the chaplain thanked people for their well-wishes and said he was awaiting surgery for his stab wounds.

“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,” he said.

“All will be well,” he added in the post.

Dún Uí Mhaolíosa, Renmore Barracks in Galway. Brian Walsh Brian Walsh

Taoiseach Simon Harris said in a statement this afternoon said that he is receiving regular updates on the incident. 

“A serious line of inquiry is being pursued and at this time it is important to allow Gardai to work to establish all the facts.

“I have also spoken to the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, Mícheál Martin, on the quick action of Defence Forces personnel who intervened during the attack.

“My thoughts remain with Defence Forces Chaplin, Fr Paul Murphy, and on behalf of the government I wish him a speedy recovery and want to thank the officers of the Gardai and Defence Forces for their response,” he added. 

Tánaiste Micheál Martin condemned the “violent attack” at the Barracks and praised the members of the Defence Forces who were on duty at the time of the attack.

“I condemn the violent attack at Renmore Barracks last night,” Martin 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.”

Serious concern has been expressed by army representative bodies over what they called a “vicious” and “disgusting” assault on the chaplain.

Warning shots fired

Personnel fired warning shots to help intervene in the assault, before restraining the teenager. It’s understood that four warning shots were fired. 

A male youth was restrained by members of the Defence Forces and arrested by gardaí at the scene shortly after the incident. 

It’s understood that the teenager is Irish and under the age of 18.

In a statement, the Defence Forces said that shots were fired in “strict accordance with force protection protocols after a Defence Forces member was assaulted” by the teenager.

It said the soldiers on duty were faced with an “immediate threat” but responded with appropriate force to ensure the safety of those in the area.

The assailant was quickly detained and handed over to An Garda Síochána, who are now conducting a full investigation into the incident.

It added that the chaplain 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,” it said.

The DF statement said that it will continue to “cooperate fully” with the Garda investigation.

It is understood that the use of force system in the Defence Forces involves warning shots being fired first before moving on to hitting the target – in this instance the suspect surrendered after the warning shots and was restrained. 

Garda investigation

Gardaí are understood to be investigating statements made at the scene about Irish military involvement in overseas missions uttered by the teenage attacker, according to Garda sources. It is believed that his pronouncements were around missions in Mali in Africa. 

The Irish Army deployed on two peace support missions to the African country in the Sahel – including an EU training mission for local soldiers and a Special Forces team from the Army Ranger Wing were involved with German troops in a United nations mission in the North of the country.  

Mali is gripped in a rebel insurgency  in its northern Saharan reaches and also has Jihad inspired groups operating there. A recent coup has occurred and the country is currently, along with neighbours Burkina Faso and Niger, ruled by military dictatorships.  

Gardaí are examining previous interactions with the suspect.

The male youth is currently detained at a garda station in the North Western Region.

The scene is currently preserved and a technical examination will be carried out today by the Divisional Scenes of Crime Unit.

“The Special Detective Unit of An Garda Síochána 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 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 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,” a spokesperson said. 

Chief of Staff of Óglaigh na hÉireann, Lieutenant General Seán Clancy, has sent his best wishes to the injured Padre. 

“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,” he said.

Clancy also spoke about the efforts of the young soldiers on duty at the gate to Renmore. 

““The swift and decisive response by our personnel last night was exemplary, and in keeping with the highest standards of the Defence Forces and our values.

“Their professionalism ensured that a dangerous situation was quickly brought under control, protecting the lives of others in the vicinity. There is no doubt that their actions were critical in preventing further harm or loss of life.”

He added, “We are grateful to An Garda Síochána for their rapid response and ongoing assistance in the investigation. We will continue to cooperate fully with their efforts to bring this matter to a thorough and just conclusion.”

‘Horrifying attack’

The president of Defence Forces union PDFORRA said members were “horrified” to hear of the attack on the army chaplain.

“We are saddened by this horrific attack on the chaplain – we wish him a speedy recovery,” Mark Keane said.

“We are horrified by this attack. Our thought and prayers are with the padre at this time and the members who witnessed the incident.”

The group which represents officers of the Defence Forces has said it’s hugely concerned by the incident.

“All members of the Defence Forces are disgusted and hugely concerned by this vicious, unprovoked attack on the Chaplain,” from Conor King, General Secretary of RACO.

“We wish him a swift recovery and thank the members on duty in Renmore Barracks, whose actions undoubtedly saved his life.”

Independent TD and former Army officer, Cathal Berry paid tribute to Fr Murphy. 

“I want to pass on my best wishes to Chaplain Paul Murphy and wish him a full and swift recovery.

“I would also send my best wishes to the unit in Renmore and commend the actions of the sentries who saved two lives and used the minimum force necessary to end the incident. It is a textbook example of how to intervene in such a dangerous incident,” he said.

Local councillor Alan Cheevers told RTÉ Radio One that the chaplain is “very much part of the community” of the Renmore area, having spent the past 12 years serving the barracks.

“For something like this to happen in the area that predominantly has a very low crime rate and antisocial behavior rate, I suppose it’s really, really concerning,” Cheevers said.

Bishop Michael Duignan of Galway said the attack was “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 added. 

Justice Minister Helen McEntee sent her best wishes to the injured Fr Murphy and paid tribute to the gardaí and Defence Forces soldiers who responded to the incident. 

With reporting by Eoghan Dalton