DUBLIN  –  A member of the Irish Defense Forces has been stabbed several times, during an attack at Renmore Barracks in County Galway.

Irish broadcaster RTÉ is reporting that the man in his 50’s is an army chaplain.

He was taken to University Hospital Galway and his injuries are described as serious but not life-threatening.

In a post on Facebook, the chaplain thanked the public for their prayers. He said he is awaiting surgery.

Gardaí (Irish police) said a teenage boy was restrained by soldiers and then arrested. The Defense Forces said shots were fired by personnel during the incident.

The Irish Defense Forces said: “Soldiers on duty responded to the immediate threat with appropriate force to ensure the safety of personnel and secure the area.

“The assailant was quickly detained and handed over to An Garda Síochána.

“The injured Defense Forces member was provided with immediate first aid at the scene before being transported to hospital for further treatment.”

Members of the Garda’s armed support unit were also sent to the incident last Thursday night.

The teenager is being detained at a police station in the northwest, police added.

Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Simon Harris has described the incident as “shocking”.

“My thoughts are with the member of the Defense Forces in hospital. I want to thank the Defense Forces and gardaí for their action and response,” Mr Harris said.

Tánaiste (Irish deputy prime minister) and Minister for Defense Micheál Martin said: “I condemn the violent attack at Renmore Barracks last night.

“I commend the members of the Defense Forces on duty at the time, whose intervention was critical.

“Our thoughts are with the Defense Forces member injured in the attack.”

Bishop Michael Duignan of Galway said that news of the assault was “deeply shocking and upsetting”.

Bishop Duignan said he would pray for the injured man’s full recovery as well as for his family, army colleagues and medical personnel. (BBC)

Photo: Father Paul F Murphy. (Facebook) …[+]