By Patrick J. Passmore
Dublin, Ireland, Apr 16, 2025 / 12:26 pm
An Irish priest, Father Paul F. Murphy, publicly forgave his teenage attacker in a Dublin court after the boy almost severed his arm in a vicious assault. The incident took place as Father Murphy returned to his army barracks following an evening swim.
During the sentencing hearing, Father Murphy faced the teenager and heard him apologize. In response, the priest said, “As a man of faith, I am in the business of forgiveness, and I offer you my forgiveness in the hope that it will help you become a better person.”
Despite suffering life-changing physical and psychological injuries from the attack, Father Murphy publicly embraced his assailant during the court hearing.
The assault occurred on Aug. 15, 2024, as the priest was driving back to his barracks in Renvyle. The 16-year-old attacker approached his vehicle and stabbed him multiple times with a knife. Despite the ordeal, Father Murphy maintained a sense of gratitude, believing that he was meant to be there that night.
In his victim impact statement, Father Murphy reflected on the incident, saying, “Out of all the members of our Defence Forces, I was best placed to take the knife that night.”
Surviving an Attack on August 15: A Priest’s Perspective
Reflecting on the events of August 15th in my own life, I believe that my experience would be much more challenging for a young soldier just starting out in adulthood. I am grateful every single day that the knife that tore through my skin did not harm any of my comrades. It is an honor and privilege for me to carry these scars until my last breath.
On the significant feast of the Assumption of Mary, I felt a divine intervention from a World War I Irish army chaplain. That night happened to be the vigil of the anniversary of the death of Father Willie Doyle, an army chaplain who lost his life in the First World War. We had been praying for his intercession in our Garrison Church, located just a hundred meters away from where the attack took place. I strongly felt his intercession that night.
During the court proceedings at the Dublin Central Criminal Court, it was revealed that the assailant, who is now 17 years old, had expressed support for the Islamic State and had been radicalized online. He confessed to planning the attack but clarified that his intention was to target any member of the Defence Forces, not specifically me as a priest. His motive was to protest against the Irish Defence Forces’ involvement in Mali and other activities related to Islam.
Despite the traumatic incident, the boy later apologized to me, and we had a private conversation where we embraced each other. This encounter has made me realize the importance of being more vigilant, and I am currently undergoing counseling from a fellow priest who is also a psychotherapist. Unfortunately, my left arm, which was severely injured in the attack, has not fully recovered its functionality.
While the attack was not personal, I have become more aware of the potential dangers that exist. As the head chaplain to the Irish Defence Forces, Father Paschal Hanrahan mentioned, I am actively involved in ministering to the troops in various aspects of their lives. Despite the challenges I face, I remain committed to serving my community and will continue to do so with unwavering dedication.
