According to law enforcement, a teenager from Galway, aged 16, is believed to have planned an ambush on Defence Forces personnel out of resentment towards Ireland’s foreign military activities. The youth allegedly stabbed Army chaplain Fr Paul F Murphy (52) on Thursday evening. Even though Fr Murphy suffered significant injuries, they are not life-threatening. The incident is being investigated as a potential act of terrorism by the Special Detective Unit, the primary counter-terrorism agency in the state.
After arresting the teenager on the night of the incident, law enforcement obtained extended time to detain him. The youth has undergone multiple interrogations in the presence of his mother. However, insiders suggest that he has not been very cooperative.
Investigators have probed his property and scrutinised his digital gadgets in their efforts to gather evidence. It is believed that conspiracy theories about Irish involvement in Mali and the Middle East had somewhat polarised him.
During the incident, the young man could be heard vociferously criticising the involvement of the Irish Defence Forces in Mali, though the specifics of his objection remain unclear.
Until recently, the Defence Forces participated in two operations in Mali’s sub-Saharan region. These were under the banners of the European Union and the United Nations, and were a response to threats from Islamic extremists. However, Irish involvement in the EU’s military training mission, which aimed to strengthen the Malian army, was discontinued last year due to worries that Malian soldiers were engaging in civilian attacks.
Fr Murphy, a well-regarded clergyman originally from Waterford, has been working with the western brigade for almost a decade, and has embarked on several overseas missions. Described as an actively involved padre, he has engaged with soldiers in all aspects of their lives. He is also involved in various local community projects.
It is believed by the law enforcement that the youth was waiting in a lane next to the barracks’ entrance, seizing an opportunity to launch an attack.
Fr Murphy was in plain clothes and was driving a vehicle that showed no military indications. It is believed that he lowered the car window to engage with a sentry just as a young man approached his vehicle. The young man then launched an unprovoked knife attack on Fr Murphy, who had concealed the weapon beforehand.
Despite the ongoing attack, Fr Murphy drove through the gate. The on-duty sentry reaction was quick and according to Defence Forces policy, he discharged five warning shots into the air using his Steyr rifle.
The sentry subsequently confronted and subdued the attacking teenager using a baton, at which point he maintained control over him until armed support officers from gardaí arrived at the scene.
While waiting for the paramedics, first aid was administered to Fr Murphy by other personnel. Despite receiving five stab wounds, he stayed conscious.
Undergoing surgery on Friday, deemed a success according to sources, Fr Murphy expressed his gratitude for the prayers and well wishes he received, apologising for the inability to respond to everyone.
President Michael D Higgins, Taoiseach Simon Harris and Tánaiste Micheál Martin all commended Fr Murphy as well as the Defence Forces for their brave actions. The Chief of Staff, Lieut Gen Seán Clancy, emphasised the crucial role their decisive actions played in averting further injury or even loss of life.