A Catholic military chaplain was stabbed multiple times outside Renmore Army Barracks in Galway, Ireland, late Thursday night last week, which led to a terrorism investigation.
The victim, identified as 52-year-old Father Paul Murphy, sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries and is currently recovering at University Hospital Galway.
The attack occurred around 10:45 p.m. when a 16-year-old male approached Fr. Murphy, who was sitting in his car near the barracks. The assailant, armed with a large knife, pursued the chaplain through the barracks gate, where soldiers on duty fired warning shots before detaining the teenager. “The swift and decisive response by our personnel was exemplary,” said Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Sean Clancy reported Crux.
GardaĂ, Ireland’s national police force, are investigating the incident as a potential terrorist attack, with one line of inquiry focusing on whether the assailant was motivated by extremist ideologies.
In a statement, Galway Bishop Michael Duignan expressed deep shock and concern for the injured chaplain, asking the community to pray for Fr. Murphy’s recovery. “I pray too for his family, for his army colleagues, and for the medical personnel who are tending to his injuries at this time,” he said, reported Vatican News
On Friday, Fr. Murphy posted on Facebook, expressing gratitude for the support he has received: “Friends, thank you for your prayers, love, and concern. I’m doing okay; just awaiting surgery. All will be well.”
Pray for Fr. Murphy’s recovery!
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