‘I thank God every day it was me he attacked‘: Army chaplain forgives boy who stabbed him
Fr Paul Murphy, the Defence Forces chaplain who was
repeatedly stabbed by a teenage boy
at Renmore Barracks in Galway in August 2024, said he is grateful he was the one attacked that night.
'The general consensus was that I just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Now I would dispute that, and I would say that that wasn't the case at all,' Fr Murphy said.
Speaking on RTÉ Radio 1 on Sunday, the chaplain continued: 'That boy had come to kill a soldier, that's a matter of record... And I thank God every day that it was me that he got to, rather than one of the others.'
Fr Murphy (52), who has been a priest for almost 30 years and in the army for over a decade, said his life experience meant he 'could contextualise what happened in a way that would be much more difficult for somebody who was a young soldier, male or female, starting out'.
READ MORE
On Tuesday, a 17-year-old boy who cannot be named because of his age, was sentenced to
eight years' detention
for the attempted murder of Fr Murphy.
The boy, who was 16 at the time of the attack, pleaded guilty in February. He had been radicalised by extremist Islamic content online, the court heard.
[
Defence Forces chaplain hugs boy who stabbed him and says he is forgiven
Opens in new window
]
Fr Murphy said he forgives the boy for what he did, telling him this in person and embracing him.
The priest said there is 'always a risk in forgiveness' as it 'has to be accepted', adding that this risk 'paid off' as the boy told him 'I'm really sorry'.
Fr Murphy said he believes people were watching over him on the night of August 15th, 2024.
'Apart from the fact that somebody came to kill another person, everything was blessed on that night,' he recalled.
Fr Murphy was returning to the barracks following a swim when the incident occurred. An unknown person approached his car and he opened the window.
'If it had opened the full way, I would be dead,' he said.
'For some reason, my window didn't open fully on that night, it opened two thirds of the way.'
Fr Murphy noted that the attack happened on the date of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary.
'Our Lady got into heaven. They weren't ready for me that night,' he said.
'Our Lady of the Rosary is the patroness of the Defence Forces. My rosary beads were beside me in the car... I was going nowhere that night.'
Fr Murphy said he is doing well and currently preparing to go to Lebanon in June, his sixth tour of duty.
'I'm happy to be part of that,' he said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTÉ News
7 hours ago
- RTÉ News
New historic abuse policy is welcome, but it is just the first step
I don't usually include a personal perspective when writing stories - but this is the exception. Back in 1978, as a 10-year-old child, I was battered by my 4th-class teacher who slapped, punched and kicked me around the prefab cloakroom in a prolonged attack. This wasn't corporal punishment, which was finally outlawed in 1982. This was an assault. Terrified, bruised and sore, I didn't know what to do. I felt there was no point in speaking to the school authorities, as children were regularly being hit. Mistakenly fearing that I may have been in some way responsible for provoking the teacher, I decided against telling my parents either. Having been on the receiving end of this violence, I took a keen interest when the Department of Education updated guidance to schools late last month. The policy - Child Protection Procedures for Schools, 2025 - is an update on its original 2017 document. One of the key innovations is, for the first time, to provide explicit guidance to schools on how they should deal with former pupils presenting with a claim of historic abuse. Such advice is clearly needed given the scale of horror which unfolded over the decades in Irish primary and secondary schools. Just last September, a Government-appointed inquiry into historical abuse at schools concluded that there were 2,395 allegations of sexual abuse in respect of 308 schools recorded by the religious orders that ran those schools. The content is grim, particularly when it comes to victims' testimonies - so much so that the public is warned: "Reading these accounts of abuse may be extraordinarily difficult." One participant to the inquiry testified: "The teacher's domination of the schoolchildren included sexual harassment in confessional encounters outside class, but during school hours. This included humiliating one-to-one costume fittings, full blown sexual assault, and drugging and raping multiple students." "I didn't cry, that in itself was a signal for him to carry on beating you and he done so... It later emerged that some of those who contacted the scoping inquiry team, about the alleged physical abuse that they had endured, were informed that their complaints fell outside the terms of reference. Many turned to RTÉ Radio 1's Liveline to highlight their stories of being whipped, beaten and kicked. In October 2024, RTÉ screened the documentary 'Leathered' which highlighted the different types of insidious physical abuse inflicted on children in our schools. Peter Kane from Navan in Co Meath recalled the fear and anxiety that he experienced going to school as a 12-year-old and the alleged abuse he endured. He said: "I didn't cry, that in itself was a signal for him to carry on beating you and he done so, and bounced my head off the blackboard, bounced my body around the room, knocked me up against his desk, and at one stage, I collapsed and fell on the ground because he done something to my back." With such a catalogue of predatory violence, it is highly likely that victims might, later in life, present themselves at our schools out-of-the-blue. One in Four, which helps adults who have experienced abuse as a child, state that many choose to contact their former school as a first port of call. Accordingly, it is more than appropriate to have teachers prepared for such a scenario. "Child Protection Procedures for Schools, 2025" seeks to do that in Section 3, which is entitled: Retrospective Abuse Allegations. On page 29, it states: "The member of school personnel will need tact and sensitivity in responding to such a disclosure." The document continues: "It is important to be empathetic and express understanding that it may have taken a considerable effort for the person to disclose the past abuse." Schools are advised that a person presenting with a historical abuse claim should be provided with details for the Garda National Protective Services Bureau. They should also be given contact numbers for helplines such as the Rape Crisis Centre; Towards Healing; the National Counselling Service; One in Four; Connect Counselling; and the Samaritans. The forward to the document is written by Minister for Education Helen McEntee, however, much of the policy had been shepherded through by former minister for education Norma Foley; former Minister of State Josepha Madigan; and senior officials at the Department of Education. Minister McEntee wrote that the new policy document also identifies "requirements [on schools] to report retrospective abuse". If a school is informed of historic abuse, it needs to be more than just be empathetic to the victim. Schools are obliged to outline that they do not have an investigative role and, under certain circumstances, may have to notify the child and family agency Tusla or An Garda Síochána. One clear advantage for the victims is that the new policy gives an individual a right of recourse should an individual school fail to live up to its specified obligations. "For survivors, reaching out like this is often a big emotional step. The way the school responds really matters.. The new policy will now be studied in detail by groups representing those who have experienced physical and sexual abuse in schools. Chief Executive of One in Four Deirdre Kenny described the new guidance to me as a positive step forward. She said: "For survivors, reaching out like this is often a big emotional step. The way the school responds really matters - it can make a big difference in how supported and understood they feel. "That's why it's so important for schools to have clear, compassionate guidance on how to handle these situations." She added: "However, there is an obvious gap in the guidelines: they do not currently include context about why survivors might get in touch with a school - whether for acknowledgement, support, or to protect current students. Including this information would be really helpful, as it would enable staff to respond with even greater understanding and sensitivity." Chief Executive of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Rachel Morrogh said the policy appears to take a victim-centred approach to meeting disclosures, which is very welcome. However, she said: "That approach must be embedded clearly, with appropriate training and resourcing, so that teachers and educators can handle disclosures sensitively and with as little re-traumatisation as possible. "A young person might tell someone about their experience, but if the trusted person doesn't know how to sensitively meet a disclosure, it could mean that the child might experience further shame and isolation and be retraumatised." She added: "While child abuse is often viewed as being a historical issue, those working on the frontlines of supporting survivors of sexual violence can tell you that it is very much still happening in Ireland today. "We must ensure our young people are protected and supported to the full extent necessary, and a strong child protection policy in schools is an important component of that." One in Four and the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre view the new policy as a welcome first step - but just that: a first step.
Irish Daily Mirror
20 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Man arrested after viable device thrown through window of Belfast Islamic Centre
A man has been arrested under the Terrorism Act after a viable device was thrown through the window of the Belfast Islamic Centre during a 'sinister' attack on Friday night. Police received a report at approximately 10.10pm that an object had been thrown through a window at the centre in the University Road area of the city while people were praying inside the building. The incident sparked a security alert and the building was evacuated. Officers attended and carried out a search of the building where a suspicious device was discovered. Ammunition Technical Officers attended and examined the object which was determined as viable and has since been removed for forensic examination. A 34-year-old man was arrested under the Terrorism Act at the scene and remains in police custody at this time. "It is important to stress that, while the suspect has been arrested under the Terrorism Act, the motive for the attack has not yet been established," Assistant Chief Constable Anthony McNally said in a statement. 'Detectives from Serious Crime Branch are currently working at pace and are exploring a number of potential motivating factors including the possibility that this is a hate crime. "At this time, no other persons are being sought in connection with the attack. I urge anyone who was in the area at the time or may have information to contact us on 101, quoting reference number 1808 20/06/25.' A report can be submitted online using the non-emergency reporting form via or you can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at Sinn Féin MLA Deirdre Hargey has condemned the attack. She said: "I unreservedly condemn this sinister attack, and I welcome that the suspect is now in custody, thanks to the vigilance of a member of the public. 'No one should ever feel unsafe in their place of worship, and my thoughts are with everyone affected. 'Acts like these, fuelled by hate, spread fear and division, and target people who have come to our communities to build a life and call this place home. 'It's vital that all political leaders speak out and stand united against this disgusting behaviour.' Green Party Councillor Áine Groogan also strongly condemned the attack describing it as a "cowardly and vicious act." 'I am horrified to hear about the attack on the Islamic Centre during evening prayers," she said. 'I want to pay tribute to the courageous passer-by who intervened and prevented what could have been a far more tragic outcome. It is terrifying to consider what might have happened, and I sincerely hope that all those present are recovering from this traumatic ordeal.' 'This attack is yet another reminder of the very real danger faced by our Islamic community. The recent rise in racist hate and violence on our streets is a shameful stain on our society. "We must all take responsibility for actively challenging racism, misinformation, and bigotry wherever it appears before someone is seriously hurt. 'I urge those politicians who continue to hide behind the notion of so-called 'legitimate concerns' around migration to reflect on the consequences of their words. Such narratives are as disingenuous as they are dangerous. They help foster a culture in which hate can thrive. Frankly, they should know better.'
Irish Examiner
a day ago
- Irish Examiner
Politicians condemn attack on Belfast Islamic Centre while people prayed
An attack on the Islamic Centre in Belfast while people were praying on Friday has been condemned by politicians. A local MLA said a device was thrown inside the building during evening prayer and forced it to be evacuated. Police said they attended a security alert on University Road in south Belfast on Friday night. A number of cordons were put in place and members of the public were asked to avoid the area. A 34-year-old man was arrested and was taken into police custody. Alliance MLA for South Belfast Paula Bradshaw condemned the attack, which she said did 'not reflect the diversity of south Belfast in 2025'. 'This attack was again designed to cause fear among people inside the centre, who were at prayer at the time. 'Nevertheless, I am thankful for the intervention of a nearby passer-by and for the work of the police. Those were much more reflective of the true spirit of Belfast, where most people rejoice in diversity. 'I would like to express my solidarity with all those who were evacuated and my thanks to all those who worked to ensure their safety.' Sinn Féin MLA Deirdre Hargey said 'no-one should ever feel unsafe in their place of worship'. 'Acts like these, fuelled by hate, spread fear and division, and target people who have come to our communities to build a life and call this place home. 'It's vital that all political leaders speak out and stand united against this disgusting behaviour.' Green Party Councillor Aine Groogan condemned the attack as a 'cowardly and vicious act'. 'I am horrified to hear about the attack on the Islamic Centre during evening prayers,' she said. 'I want to pay tribute to the courageous passer-by who intervened and prevented what could have been a far more tragic outcome. 'It is terrifying to consider what might have happened and I sincerely hope that all those present are recovering from this traumatic ordeal.' She added: 'This attack is yet another reminder of the very real danger faced by our Islamic community. The recent rise in racist hate and violence on our streets is a shameful stain on our society. 'We must all take responsibility for actively challenging racism, misinformation and bigotry wherever it appears before someone is seriously hurt. 'I urge those politicians who continue to hide behind the notion of so-called 'legitimate concerns' around migration to reflect on the consequences of their words. 'Such narratives are as disingenuous as they are dangerous. They help foster a culture in which hate can thrive. Frankly, they should know better.'
