LAST UPDATE | 17 Aug

A 16-YEAR-OLD boy has been remanded in custody after appearing before a special sitting of Galway District Juvenile Court this afternoon in relation to the stabbing of an Army chaplain at Renmore Barracks in the city on Thursday night.

The teenager, who can’t be identified as he is a minor, is charged with assault causing harm to Fr Paul Murphy at Renmore Barracks.

Judge Gerard Furlong was told during a bail hearing that further, more serious charges may follow and that it is believed that ‘the accused holds a radical Islamist mindset’.

Garda Conor Breen gave evidence of arresting the accused just after 11PM on 15 August at Renmore Army Barracks and charging him at after 11.30PM on 16 August. Breen said the accused made no reply when charged.

Detective Sergeant Paul McNulty said Gardaí were objecting to bail for a number of reasons, including the seriousness of the charge, the indiscriminate and unprovoked nature of the attack, the strength of the evidence including CCTV, the possibility of witness interference, and flight risk.

McNulty said the accused is charged with an offence which carries a sentence of up to five years imprisonment on conviction. He said it is envisaged that further charges may follow when the matter is fully investigated, including assault causing serious harm or attempted murder, which both carry the possibility of life in prison.

“As a result of evidence seized during the course of this investigation, it is believed that the accused holds a radical Islamist mindset,” McNulty told the court. “An early analysis of devices attributed to the accused has revealed content of support to the Islamic State terrorist group.”

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. He added that Fr Murphy was not known to the accused and there was an ‘indiscriminate selection’ of the victim.

Defence solicitor Jack Donohue of Gearoid Geraghty and Company Solicitors said the accused was in school and was currently on summer holidays.

He said that the teenager’s parents, who were present in court, were willing to act as surety and support him. He said under the Children’s Act, detention should only be considered as a last resort. He said his client was willing to abide by any bail conditions, including staying away from Renmore Barracks and any witnesses, observe a curfew and not go on social media.

The accused spoke briefly to his solicitor during the 32-minute hearing but did not address the court.

Judge Furlong said he was refusing bail because of the seriousness of the case and the strength of the evidence.

He remanded the accused in custody to Oberstown Children’s Detention Campus in Dublin and to appear before Galway District Court next Tuesday – 20 August – by videolink.

Judge Furlong granted the accused free legal aid and certified for the assignment of counsel.

He also directed that the accused have access to appropriate medical and psychological care on arrival at the detention centre.

There was a large Garda presence outside the courthouse and a small number of onlookers when the teenager arrived in a Garda van.

A press release from An Garda Síochána in advance of the court sitting reminded the media and members of the public that strict reporting restrictions were in place because the accused is a child.

“An Garda Síochána reminds any member of the public reporting or commenting on this incident of the provisions of section 93 Children Act 2001, which imposes restrictions on the publication of any particulars, including any picture, which is likely to lead to the identification of any child concerned in any criminal proceedings,” it stated.