A 16-year old boy has been remanded in custody after appearing before a special sitting of Galway District Juvenile Court on Saturday in connection with the stabbing of a Defence Forces chaplain in the city on Thursday.
The accused, who cannot be identified as he is a minor, is charged with assault causing harm to Fr Paul F Murphy at Renmore Barracks.
Judge Gerard Furlong was told during a bail hearing that further, more serious charges may follow, and it is believed that “the accused holds a radical Islamist mindset”.
Garda Conor Breen gave evidence of arresting the teenager at 11.10pm on August 15th at Renmore Army Barracks in Galway and charging him at 11.31pm on August 16th. Garda Breen said the accused made no reply when charged.
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Det Sgt Paul McNulty said gardaí were objecting to bail for a number of reasons. He 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,” Det Sgt McNulty told the court. “An early analysis of devices attributed to the accused has revealed content of support to the Islamic State terrorist group.”
Det Sgt McNulty said Fr Murphy was attacked when he rolled down the window of his car as he waited to enter Renmore Barracks. He said the chaplain suffered seven deep lacerations and a number of minor cuts to both arms from a large “hunting-style” knife which was recovered at the scene.
Fr Murphy (52) underwent surgery on Friday to treat a number of wounds with military sources saying the operation went well and he remains in good spirits in hospital. He is expected to be released in the coming days.”
Det Sgt McNulty said 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 teenager’s parents, who were present in court, were willing to act as surety and support him.
Under the Children’s Act, he said, 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, August 20th, by video-link.
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.
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