A 16-year-old boy has appeared in court in Galway charged in connection with a “random” and "frenzied” attack on a Defence Forces chaplain on Thursday night.
The boy, who cannot be identified because he is a minor, was charged with assault causing harm to Fr Paul Murphy at the entrance to Renmore Barracks last Thursday night.
He appeared before Judge Gerard Furlong at Galway District Court at 2.30pm, having been charged on Saturday morning.
Detective Sergeant Paul McNulty opposed a bail application alleging that the accused holds a “radical Islamist mindset” and referred to “content of support to Islamic State terrorist group”.
Det Sgt McNulty described the attack as an “indiscriminate, unprovoked and frenzied stabbing attack.”
He described how Fr Paul Murphy, the Defence Forces chaplain, was allegedly approached by the boy at the entrance to the army base.
The priest pressed the button on his car to roll down the window.
Det Sgt McNulty alleged that the accused “lunged” at the priest with a hunting style knife, which was later recovered at the scene.
The priest was stabbed in the right and left arms, and suffered a number of deep lacerations.
He also sustained minor cuts to his body and face during the attack, Det Sgt McNulty said.
He alleged that due to the random sinister unprovoked nature of the attack, he was concerned he would carry out other offences.
Det Sgt McNulty also alleged that he was a flight risk.
Solicitor for the accused, Jack Donohue of Gearoid Geraghty Solicitors, drew the court’s attention to the Children’s Act, which he said says detention should only be considered as a last resort.
He said the boy’s parents, who were in court, were willing to act as surety. He added that his client was willing to abide by any conditions of the court, was willing to keep away from Renmore Barracks and witnesses, and was also willing to abide by a curfew and not to go on social media.
Mr Justice Furlong refused bail, based on the strength of the evidence before this court.
He also said he considered it “reasonably necessary to refuse bail to prevent a commission of another serious offence.”
He alleged that due to the random sinister unprovoked nature of the attack, he was concerned he would carry out other offences.
The case was adjourned to Tuesday at 11am.