Courts / Galway / Report
Army chaplain forgives radicalised teen who tried to murder him as pair later embrace in court
Summary
In a sentencing hearing on 10 April 2025, Defence Forces chaplain Father Paul Murphy, aged 52, delivered a victim‑impact statement after being repeatedly stabbed by a 17‑year‑old boy on 15 August 2024 at Renmore Barracks, Galway. Murphy, who has served as a chaplain for 11 years, said he forgave the attacker and urged him to learn from his mistake and return to society as a "wholesome, happy and loving person". The boy, who was 16 at the time of the attack and whose identity is withheld, pleaded guilty to attempted murder. He was arrested on suspicion of assault causing harm and was remanded to Oberstown Detention Centre pending sentencing on 29 April 2025. The court heard the boy had been radicalised online, possessed a hunting knife, and had expressed anger over the Defence Forces' work in Mali. The hearing ended with the chaplain and the boy embracing in the courtroom.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Army chaplain forgives radicalised teen who tried to murder him as pair later embrace in court. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- August 15 Hearing Or Sentence
- August 15, 2024 Incident
- April 29 Adjournment
- Thursday August 15 2024 Adjournment
- November 28, 2023 Incident
- August 16 Hearing Or Sentence
- August 2024 Incident
- 2013 and 2021 Incident
- 2025-04-10 Publication
Why: The priest said while he can ultimately forgive his attacker, the teenager had committed "an appalling crime", which had offended the State, the Irish Defence Forces and "every single soldier who has walked through the gate of our barracks, because it could have been any one of them who was stabbed". Defence account reported by CNI
Case subjects
Accused
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Mr Justice Paul McDermott remanded the boy to Oberstown Detention Centre until April 29, when he will be sentenced.; Mr Justice Paul McDermott remanded the boy to Oberstown Detention Centre until April 29, when he will be sentenced.
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
- University Hospital
Topics
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