A former Garda Sergeant has spoken out after the horror knife attack at Renmore Barracks on Thursday 15 August, and has made calls for changes to tackle any future incidents.
Galway and the country at large are in shock after the knife attack on the Barrack chaplain as he waited outside to be granted entry. A 16-year-old boy was apprehended and detained by members of the Barracks, before Gardaí arrested the youth.
The victim of the incident, Father Paul Murphy, remains at University Hospital Galway with serious but non-life threatening injuries and is understood to be undergoing surgery today.
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And former Garda Sergeant Christy Galligan, who served in Co Donegal, speaking to Ocean FM in the wake of the horror attack that left Father Murphy hospitalised, has called for an "increased Garda presence" on the ground to serve as a deterrent in future knife attacks.
Former Gda. Sgt. Galligan said that the incident, and similar knife attacks in England of late, were "very worrying". Former Gda. Sgt. Galligan sent his best well wishes to Father Murphy as well as those who witnessed the horror incident.
The former Garda Sergeant also stated his belief that "a more visible Garda presence", in terms of on foot and mobile support, to act as a deterrent. Former Gda. Sgt. Galligan also speculated, and hoped, that this was a "isolated incident."
Cllr. Alan Cheevers said the Renmore community are "shocked" by the incident which occurred at the gates of Renmore Barracks at around 10:45pm on Thursday night 15 August.
Speaking to Galway Bay FM, Cllr. Cheevers said that Father Murphy was well-like and highly respected in the Renmore area, and has served for twelve years at the Renmore facility.
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