16-year-old remanded in custody over stabbing of Waterford priest

The 16-year-old boy who was charged last week in relation to the stabbing of an army chaplain, originally from Waterford, continues to be remanded in custody. 

The teenager, whose identity is protected as he is a minor, appeared for a second time before Galway District Court. 

His appearance at the court on Tuesday, August 20, was via video link from Oberstown Children's Detention Campus in Dublin, where the minor was remanded in custody until September. 

The teenager only spoke during the hearing to confirm his identity to the court. 

He is charged with assault causing harm to Fr Paul F Murphy at Renmore Barracks, Galway, on August 15. 

Judge Gerard Furlong heard during a special sitting of the court on Saturday, August 17, that more serious charges may follow and that the accused holds "a radical Islamist mindset". 

During Tuesday's sitting, as reported by RTÉ, Sergeant Christy Browne told Judge Furlong that "the State application was for a further remand in custody to appear by video link before Galway District Court on Monday, September 2, for DPP directions."

While the teenager wasn't before the court in person, his parents did attend the Galway District Court for the hearing. 

The Judge had previously requested that psychological services be made available to the accused, however, it was confirmed during the brief hearing that this had not yet been fulfilled. 

It was then that Judge Furlong repeated his request that medical and psychological supports for the accused be made available to the 16-year-old. 

Judge Furlong explained to the accused that a bail application would be a matter for the High Court.