Gardaí are trying to establish if there was a terror link to an attack on an army chaplain who was stabbed outside a barracks in Co Galway last night.
The 52-year-old priest, Fr Paul F Murphy, suffered a number of serious but non-life threatening injuries to his arms in the incident, which happened outside Renmore Barracks shortly before 11pm last night.
Speaking from hospital, where he is recovering, Fr Murphy said he is “awaiting surgery” and reassured his parish and friends that he was okay.
A 16-year-old Irish boy has been arrested in relation to the attack and he is currently being questioned at a garda station in Galway. His period of detention has recently been extended.
Gardaí are investigating whether the teenager may have made comments at the scene of the stabbing about Irish military involvement in the Middle East before he was brought away by officers.
Gardaí say the Special Detective Unit is involved in the investigation and one line of inquiry is to establish if the attack was motivated by reasons of terrorism.
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It is understood the chaplain, who was in plain clothes, was in his car at the gate of the barracks and rolled down the window when the teenager approached and began stabbing him with a knife through the window.
Immediately following the attack, a member of the Defence Forces fired a number of warning shots in an attempt to prevent the suspect from inflicting further injury on the chaplain.
Up to three Defence Forces personnel then managed to wrestle the suspect to the ground and detain him before the garda armed support unit arrived at the scene.
“Appropriate force protection measures were used in this incident”, a source told the Irish Independent.
Sources say gardaí are not looking for anyone else in connection to the incident.
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Fr Murphy has worked for the Irish Defence Forces for a significant number of years and has served on a number of overseas missions.
In a statement on social media, Fr Murphy said: “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. All will be well.”
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, Taoiseach Simon Harris said: “A Garda investigation is ongoing into a serious attack on a member of the Defence Forces at Dún Uí Mhaoilíosa, Renmore in Galway last night.
“A serious line of inquiry is being pursued and at this time it is important to allow gardaí 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 gardaí and Defence Forces for their response.”
The Tánaiste condemned the attack. In a statement posted online, Mr Martin said: “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.
Fr Paul F Murphy
Bishop of Galway Michael Duignan said: “News of the assault on a Catholic priest, who is presently serving as Chaplain to the Irish Defence Forces in Galway, is 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.”
Bishop of Waterford Alphonsus Cullinan said: “First and foremost, I unequivocally condemn this act of violence. Such behaviour is unacceptable in any form and goes against the very tenets of our faith, which teaches us to love one another and to seek peace.
“Violence begets violence, and we must strive for understanding and compassion rather than resorting to harm.
“Our priest, who has dedicated his life to serving God and our community, is now facing an unimaginable ordeal. We are praying for his swift recovery and healing – both physically and spiritually.
“The Church stands firmly behind him during this challenging time. I urge all members of our congregation to keep him in their thoughts and prayers as he navigates through this painful experience,” Fr Cullinan added.
In an update this afternoon, gardaí stated: “An Garda Síochána continue to investigate all the circumstances of the incident.
“The Special Detective Unit of An Garda Síochána is involved in this investigation.
“One line of inquiry 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.”
The Defence Forces also gave some details of the incident in a statement.
“The Defence Forces can confirm that an incident occurred last night at Dún Uí Mhaoilíosa, Renmore, Co Galway, where shots were fired by on-duty personnel,” a spokesperson said.
“This action was taken in strict accordance with established force protection protocols after a Defence Forces Chaplain was stabbed by a male civilian while awaiting entry to the barracks.
“Upon witnessing the assault, the soldiers on duty responded swiftly and appropriately to the immediate threat, using necessary force to ensure the safety of all personnel and to secure the area. This included the firing of live ammunition as Warning Shots.
“The assailant was promptly detained and handed over to An Garda Síochána upon their arrival, and a full investigation into the incident is now being conducted by An Garda Síochána.
“The injured Defence Forces member received immediate first aid from Defence Forces personnel on duty before being transported to hospital for further treatment. We are relieved to report that while the victim’s injuries are serious, they are not life-threatening.”
Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Seán Clancy, extended his best wishes to the chaplain.
“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.
He also commended the actions of the soldiers on duty.
“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 co-operate fully with their efforts to bring this matter to a thorough and just conclusion.”
The spokesperson added: “The Defence Forces remain committed to ensuring the safety and security of all its members and will continue to act in accordance with our duty to protect those under our care.”