Teenage Boy, Charged For Stabbing Of Army Chaplain, Now To Appear In Court
A teenage boy, 16 years old, was charged for stabbing an army chaplain last week in Galway. He is to appear in court today as he is not considered a minor.
The teenage boy was charged for the assault on army chaplain Fr Paul Murphy at Renmore barracks.
(Also read: Teenager Set to Appear in Court Over Galway Stabbing Incident)
His first appearance was in front of Galway District Juvenile Court on Saturday. He was then asked to appear again last Thursday night in relation to the Renmore barracks incident.
The teenage boy is now in custody remand in Oberstown Children’s Detention Campus located in Dublin. He is expected to appear in court today through a video link. Galway District Court would be hearing him in the appearance.
The boy came to the court in a black sweatshirt and black pants. His parents were also present, sitting at the back of the courtroom.
The solicitor assured that the parents of the teenage boy were ready to act as surety and that detention should be considered as the last resort. Additionally, the solicitor reassured that the client would not be seen near barracks in future as he is willing to abide by the rules of the court and any future instructions. He even clarified that the client would stay away from social media and refrain from posting any suspicious posts, following a strict curfew.
Previous proceedings in the teenage boy stabbing case
Last Saturday, Judge Gerard Furlong clearly stressed that no bail would be granted to the boy as the seriousness of the case prevails along with strong evidence against the perpetrator.
The Judge also told Gardai that serious repercussions might follow as “the accused holds a radical Islamist mindset”.
Paul McNulty, detective sergeant, also emphasised the fact that the bail shouldn’t be granted. The reasons for such an action are the seriousness of the attack on the army chaplain, several pieces of evidence against the accused, unprovoked nature of the assault, CCTV footage, the likeliness of witness interference and the risk of the boy’s escape before the trial.
Before the court, the case of the army chaplain’s stabbing was presented where Fr Murphy stated that he was attacked when he rolled down the window of his seat. He was waiting at Renmore barracks to enter when deep stabs and minor cuts in both his arms were received from a huge ‘hunting style’ knife. The knife was found at the scene later, taken as clear evidence, Gardai confirmed.
The CCTV footage evidently shows the accused lurking out the window side of the driver, the army chaplain. He kept on hanging from his window-down side and “continued to stab the injured party” as the car kept entering the front gate to the barracks.
The police also told Judge Furlong that Fr Murphy is now at the hospital and recovering fast after the surgery. The police added that it was an “indiscriminate selection” of the victim by the accused which is a strange part of the case. The accused does not know Fr Murphy in reality.
An Garda Síochána ordered the media people that advancements from the court sittings should not be published without permission as there are strict restrictions. The restrictions are held due to the case of the accused child.
An Garda Síochána has also clarified if a person is caught breaking the rule, he would be held under section 93 Children Act 2001. The act imposes restrictions on the publications of any child and his particulars entailing private information. The information would be confined in relation to the concerned child which might harm his well-being. It would be directly considered a criminal proceeding, the police announced.
