A 16-year-old boy charged in relation to the stabbing of a Defence Forces chaplain in Galway last week has been remanded in custody until next month.
The teenager, who canât be identified as he is a minor, appeared by video-link at Galway District Court on Tuesday morning.
He is charged with assault causing harm to Fr Paul F Murphy at Renmore Barracks on August 15th.
The teenager did not speak during the five-minute court hearing this morning other than to confirm his identity.
Judge Gerard Furlong had been told at a special sitting of Galway District Court on Saturday afternoon that more serious charges may follow and that it is believed that âthe accused holds a radical Islamist mindsetâ.
Sgt Christy Browne told Judge Furlong at todayâs hearing that the State application was for a further remand in custody to appear by video-link before Galway District Court on Monday, September 2nd for DPP directions.
Defence solicitor Jack Donohue said he had no objection. He told Judge Furlong that psychological services which the judge requested be made available to the teenager had not yet been provided.
Judge Furlong repeated his request that appropriate medical and psychological care be made available to the teenager who is in custody at Oberstown Childrenâs Detention Campus in Dublin.
Judge Furlong told the 16 year old that any bail application at this point was a matter for the High Court.
The teenagerâs parents were present in Galway District Court for the brief hearing.
Saturdayâs special sitting of Galway District Court was told by Det Sgt McNulty that Fr Murphy was not known to the accused and there was an âindiscriminate selectionâ of the victim.
Det Sgt McNulty said that Fr Murphy was attacked when he rolled down the window of his car as he waited to enter Renmore Barracks. He said that Fr Murphy suffered seven deep lacerations and a number of minor cuts in both arms from a large âhunting-styleâ knife which was recovered at the scene. He told Judge Furlong that Fr Murphy is recovering after surgery in hospital.
