Teenager arrested after army chaplain stabbed at Army barracks, shots fired by Defence Force members

Gardaí have arrested a teenager after a man was assaulted outside an Army barracks in Galway city.

The man received a number of stab wounds during the incident which occurred at approximately 10.45pm on Thursday night.

He was taken to University Hospital Galway for treatment of injuries that are serious but not life-threatening.

The teenage boy was restrained by members of the Defence Forces and arrested by gardaí at the scene.

He is currently detained at a Garda Station in the North Western Region.

In a statement, the Defences Forces confirmed that an incident occurred at the barracks and that shots were fired by on-duty Defence Forces personnel "in strict accordance with force protection protocols after a Defence Forces member was assaulted by a male civilian".

The scene at Renmore Barracks has been preserved and a technical examination will be carried out by the Garda Divisional Scenes of Crime Unit.

The scene is currently preserved, and a technical examination will be carried out today by the Divisional Scenes of Crime Unit.

In a statement, An Garda Síochána continue to investigate all the circumstances of the incident.

"The Special Detective Unit of An Garda Síochána is involved in this investigation.

"One line of enquiry is to establish if this attack had a terrorism motivation.

"The suspect remains in detention and is being questioned in a Garda station in the North Western region. Their period of detection has recently been extended.

"An Garda Síochána wishes to reassure the public that at this time it is not believed this incident is part of a wider conspiracy.

"A thorough investigation is underway and all relevant Bureaux have been engaged and are active in progressing this investigation.

"The Garda Commissioner has spoken to the Defence Forces Chief of Staff and wishes the injured Defence Forces member a full and speedy recovery."

Justice Minister Helen McEntee said her thoughts are with Fr Paul Murphy, and she wished him "a speedy recovery."

"An Garda Síochána responded promptly last night, and the suspect is in Garda custody.

"I would also like to pay tribute to the members of the Defence Forces who intervened bravely at the scene.

"As this is a live Garda investigation, it would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this time.