Teenager accused of stabbing army chaplain further remanded in custody

A previous court hearing was told that more serious charges may follow

A car wrapped in plastic at the scene at Renmore Barracks in Co Galway, after army chaplain Fr Paul Murphy was stabbed on Thursday evening. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA

The 16-year old charged in relation to the stabbing of a Defence Forces chaplain in Galway last week has been remanded in custody until next month.

The teenager, who cannot be identified as he is a minor, appeared by video-link at Galway District Court on Tuesday morning. He is charged with assault causing harm to Fr Paul F Murphy at Renmore Barracks on August 15.

The teenager did not speak during the five-minute court hearing this morning other than to confirm his identity.

Judge Gerard Furlong had been told at a special sitting of Galway District Court on Saturday afternoon that more serious charges may follow and that it is believed that "the accused holds a radical Islamist mindset".

Sergeant Christy Browne told Judge Furlong at Tuesday’s hearing that the State application was for a further remand in custody to appear by video-link before Galway District Court on Monday, September 2, for DPP directions.

Defence solicitor Jack Donohue said he had no objection. He told Judge Furlong that psychological services, which the judge requested be made available to the teenager, had not yet been provided.

Judge Furlong repeated his request that appropriate medical and psychological care be made available to the teenager who is in custody at Oberstown Children's Detention Campus in Dublin.

Judge Furlong told the 16-year-old that any bail application at this point was a matter for the High Court. The teenager’s parents were present in Galway District Court on Tuesday morning for the brief hearing.

Saturday’s special sitting of Galway District Court was told by Det. Sgt McNulty that Fr Murphy was not known to the accused and there was an ‘indiscriminate selection’ of the victim.

Det. Sgt McNulty said that Fr Murphy was attacked when he rolled down the window of his car as he waited to enter Renmore Barracks. 

He said that Fr Murphy suffered seven deep lacerations and a number of minor cuts in both arms from a large ‘hunting-style’ knife which was recovered at the scene. He told Judge Furlong that Fr Murphy is recovering after surgery in hospital.