An Irish army chaplain is recovering in hospital today after he was stabbed a number of times outside a barracks.
The 52-year-old priest suffered a number of serious but non-life threatening injuries to his arms in the incident, which happened outside Renmore Barracks in Galway just before 11pm last night.
Members of the Defence Forces fired a number of warning shots in an attempt to prevent the teenage suspect from further injuring the chaplain last night.
“Appropriate force protection measures were used in this incident”, a source told the Irish Independent.
A number of single shots were fired in the air before up to three Defence Forces personnel managed to wrestle the suspect to the ground and detain him before the gardai’s Armed Support Unit arrived at the scene a short time.
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A 17-year-old boy was arrested in relation to the serious attack and he is currently being questioned at a garda station in Galway.
The arrested 17-year-old is an Irish national.
Sources said that gardai are not looking for anyone else for the incident.
The injured chaplain has worked for the Irish Defence Forces for decades and has served on a number of overseas missions.
The attack has caused “huge shock” according to army sources as the chaplain is “very highly regarded and well known” within the organisation.
In a statement, Tánaiste Micheál Martin condemned the attack.
“I condemn the violent attack at Renmore Barracks last night,” the Fianna Fáil leader said on X.
“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,” he added.
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Gardai issued a statement about the incident this morning.
“Gardaí are investigating an assault which occurred at Renmore Army Barracks in Galway on Thursday, 15th August 2024.
“Gardaí, including members of the Garda Armed Support Unit, responded to the incident at approximately 10.45pm.
“A man (50s) received a number of stab wounds during the incident. He was taken to University Hospital Galway for treatment of injuries that are serious but not life-threatening.
“A male youth (teens) was restrained by members of the Defence Forces and arrested by Gardaí at the scene.
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.
“Investigations ongoing,” a spokesman said.
More to follow…