Hero army chaplain hugs stab attacker

A DEFENCE Forces chaplain who was repeatedly stabbed by a teenage boy motivated by "a radicalised Islamic mindset" hugged his attacker in court yesterday.

- ALISON O'RIORDAN

Father Paul Murphy suffered horrific injuries in the attack at Renmore Barracks in Galway on August 15 last.

However he said he now forgives his teenage attacker, adding: "I thank God every single day that the knife tore through my skin, and not through the body of one of my comrades."

A DEFENCE Forces chaplain repeatedly stabbed by a teenage boy motivated by "a radicalised Islamic mindset" has said he forgives him with the pair embracing in the courtroom.

Delivering an emotional victim impact statement yesterday, Father Paul Murphy said there was no doubt he was "the right person, in the right place, at the right time" on the night of the attack.

He added that "out of all the members of our Defence Forces I was best placed to take the knife".