Boy, 16, charged with attempted murder of Army chaplain

A 16-year-old boy has been charged with attempted murder in relation to the stabbing of a Defence Forces chaplain in Galway in August.

The boy, who cannot be identified because he is a minor, had previously been charged with assault causing harm to Fr Paul F Murphy at Renmore Barracks on 15 August.

He appeared at Galway District Court this morning in relation to the upgraded charge.

Sergeant Joanne McGhee told Judge Mary Fahy the State was making an application to withdraw the charge of Section 3 Assault and replacing it with other charges.

Detective Garda Conor Breen of Galway Garda Station gave the court details of the arrest, charge and caution.

He told the court that he charged the boy at 12.25pm with the attempted murder of Fr Murphy at Renmore Barracks on 15 August.

He also charged him with assault causing harm under Section 4 of the Non Fatal Offences 1997.

The court was told that the accused's father and solicitor were present when the charges were put to him.

He made no reply to the charges.

The boy did not speak during the brief court hearing.

The court was told that the Director of Public Prosecutions has directed that the boy be sent forward for indictment at the Central Criminal Court.

Judge Fahy said an application for bail could not be made in the District Court.

She remanded the accused to Oberstown Detention Centre to appear again by video link at Galway District Court next week.