A young lad of 16 has been brought before court, facing charges related to the attempted murder of a clergyman at a military base in Galway, Ireland. The proceedings took place at the Children’s Court in Galway on a Wednesday morning, where two fresh charges were presented, both pertaining to an alleged assault on Father Paul Murphy on the 15th of August.
The arresting officer, Garda Conor Breen from the Galway Garda station, relayed to the court that the teenager had been taken into custody for charging at the Galway courthouse just past noon. The teenager faced his charges accompanied by his father and legal representative.
Gda Breen also shared that no response was provided by the young defendant when the two charges were presented. The teenager is accused of carrying out an attempt to kill Paul Murphy at Dún Uí Mhaoilíosa Renmore, Galway, on August 15, 2024, an action that defies Common Law.
An additional charge was pressed against the boy for either consciously or negligently inflicting grievous harm to Paul Murphy, at the same location on the same date, an action that infringes upon section 4 of the Non Fatal Offences Against The Person Act.
Previously, the boy faced an assault charge in connection to the harm caused to Fr Murphy, which has been dismissed today by Judge Mary Fahy, following an appeal from the State. Legal representative Martina Moran, assigned via legal aid, confirmed that she had no queries regarding her client’s arrest, charges or warning.
The case is intended to proceed as a trial on indictment in the Central Criminal Court, as conveyed by Sergeant Joanne McGhee. Moreover, Judge Fahy stipulated that a bail request could not be received in the District Court due to the severity of the charges. Consequently, the boy has been sent to the Oberstown detention centre and is scheduled to participate via video link in a court hearing on October 16th.