More details have emerged this afternoon about the attack which occurred just before 11pm on Thursday night and left Fr Paul F Murphy (52) with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
Gardaí believe it may be a terrorist motivated attack.
The suspect in the attack, a 16-year-old Irish national from the Galway area, was waiting beside the entrance to Renmore Barracks in Galway city when Fr Murphy’s pulled up in his vehicle.
The vehicle did not have Army markings and Fr Murphy was wearing civilian clothes.
It is understood Fr Murphy had rolled down his window when the teenager approached his vehicle.
He then started to stab the victim with a previously hidden knife.
The car drove through the gate as the teenager continued the attack.
Witnessing, the sentry on duty aimed his Steyr rifle and fired five warning shots in the air as per standard Defence Forces use of force protocols.
They then tackled the attacker and used their baton to subdue him before holding him until gardaí, including officers from the Armed Support Unit arrived.
Other personnel administered first aid to Fr Murphy as they waited for paramedics. He suffered several stab injuries but maintained consciousness.
Fr Murphy posted on Facebook on Friday morning that he was awaiting surgery.
“Friends, thank you for your prayers, love, and concern. Sorry that I can’t reply to all messages and take all the calls coming my way. I’m doing okay; just awaiting surgery. All will be well,” he wrote.
Sources described the chaplain as a well-regarded member of the Defence Forces who has completed several overseas tours of duty.
The youth is currently being held in a Galway Garda station and is being questioned by investigators from the Special Detective Unit which handles terrorism offences.
Investigators have built up an initial picture of a young man who appears to spend a large amount of time on the internet and has been “radicalised to an extent”, a source said.
The teenager was heard shouting during the attack about the Irish Defence Forces involvement in Mali, although his exact grievance is unclear.
Until recently, the Defence Forces took part in two operations in the sub-Saharan nation.
Until 2019, personnel from the Army Ranger Wing took part in the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali (Minusma) where they carried out long-range patrols aimed at countering Islamic terror organisations operating in the north of the country.
Since 2013, troops have also taken part in an EU military training mission aimed at building up the Malian Army.
This mission was significantly reduced last year following human rights concerns that Malian troops trained by the EU were, alongside Russian mercenaries, involved in attacks on civilians. A handful of Irish troops in Mali remain as part of the mission.
Taoiseach Simon Harris said he has been briefed on the “shocking” incident and his thoughts are with Fr Murphy. “I want to thank the Defence Forces personnel and gardaí for their action and response.”
Tánaiste and Minister for Defence Micheál Martin condemned the attack. “I commend the members of the Defence Forces on duty at the time, whose intervention was critical,” he said. “Our thoughts are with the Defence Forces member injured in the attack.”
Lieut Gen Seán Clancy, the Defence Forces Chief of Staff, extended best wishes to Fr Murphy, and praised the “swift and decisive response” by Defence Forces personnel. “Their professionalism ensured that a dangerous situation was quickly brought under control, protecting the lives of others in the vicinity. There is no doubt that their actions were critical in preventing further harm or loss of life,” he said.
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said she wished Fr Murphy a speedy recovery.
The incident was also condemned by Representative Association of Commissioned Officers (RACO). “All members of the Defence Forces are disgusted and hugely concerned by this vicious, unprovoked attack on our Chaplain Fr Murphy. We wish Paul a swift recovery and thank the members on duty in Renmore Barracks, whose brave actions undoubtedly saved his life.”
In a statement, the Bishop of Galway said the news of the assault on the Catholic priest is “deeply shocking and upsetting”.
“I pray for the injured man, asking God that he would make a full recovery,” said Bishop Michael Duignan. “I pray too for his family, for his army colleagues and for the medical personnel who are tending to his injuries at this time.”