Bravery award for knife attack chaplain

THIS military chaplain is to get one of the Defence Forces' most prestigious medals - for his bravery when was targeted in a jihadi knife attack.

- BY MICHAEL O'TOOLE

The Minister for Defence Helen McEntee has approved the awarding of the Distinguished Service Medal to Fr Paul Murphy over the horror attack that almost claimed his life.

The DSM, or An Bonn Seirbhise Dearscna, is second in importance only to the Military Medal For Gallantry - and is awarded to Defence Forces personnel in recognition of acts of exceptional bravery during peacetime.

As well as Fr Murphy, we have also learned that the DSM is also to be awarded to three other Defence Forces personnel over the August 2024 attack on the priest at the gates of Din Ui Mhaoiliosa Barracks in Renmore in Galway.