A Defence Forces chaplain who survived an attempted murder outside a Co Galway barracks has been awarded a distinguished service medal.
Minister for Defence Helen McEntee on Thursdaysaid Father Paul Murphy showed “profound compassion” and “remarkable leadership” in forgiving his attacker, who was 16 at the time.
The youth stabbed Murphy seven times with a hunting knife outside Renmore Barracks on the morning of August 15th, 2024.
Three soldiers – Corporal Daniel Padden, Private Dylan Geraghty and Private Ciara Shanahan – were also awarded distinguished service medals for their efforts in responding to the incident.
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Murphy, who required surgery for his injuries and lost some feeling in his arms, hugged the teenager in the courtroom following the trial and said he hoped the youth would become a “better person”.
The Central Criminal Court heard the attacker planned to kill a member of the Defence Forces as a form of protest after being radicalised by Islamist extremist content online.
Now 18, he pleaded guilty to attempted murder last year and was sentenced to 10 years in detention with the final two suspended with several conditions, including engaging in a deradicalisation programme.
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The chaplain was awarded a distinguished service medal with merit for “personifying the Defence Forces’ core values in the aftermath” of the attack. The medal was presented by McEntee at a ceremony attended by Defence Forces Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Rossa Mulcahy.
McEntee said an attack on the Defence Forces is “an attack on the State”.
“Fr Paul Murphy displayed exceptional courage during this violent incident; bravery, fending off his attacker while sustaining those injuries,” she said.
“In the aftermath he also showed remarkable leadership by acknowledging those who responded to the attack and demonstrating profound compassion through his forgiveness of the assailant – your strength of character and moral courage are an inspiration to us all.”
The Minister paid special tribute to Shanahan, who was on duty at the main gate at Renmore when the attack happened.
“Despite being unarmed, she acted decisively to distract and deter the assailant while simultaneously alerting the guard to the armed attack in progress,” she said.
“To confront an armed attack, while completely unarmed and vulnerable, required intense courage.”
Geraghty, who tackled the attacker, was awarded the distinguished service medal, with honour.
Padden, who maintained a defensive position while being prepared to escalate force if necessary, was given a distinguished service medal with distinction.
Mulcahy said it was a source of “huge pride” that the service and sacrifice of the four on behalf of the State had been recognised.
“They will carry those medals with them for life and will have use of the moniker of DSM, distinguished service medal, after their name from now on.”
