A self-styled jihadi who set fire to Conor McGregor's pub and stabbed a police officer in Dublin has been jailed for seven-and-a-half years.
Abdullah Khan, 24, pleaded guilty to eight offences, including criminal damage, assault causing harm, engaging in terrorist activity and endangerment. The incidents occurred over two days last summer.
Arson and Stabbing
Khan set fire to the Black Forge Inn, owned by Conor McGregor, on July 25, 2025. He poured an accelerant over the front of the building and set it alight with matches. Days later, on July 29, he stabbed garda officer Gary Lynch on Chapel Street.
Irish police said Khan shouted “Allahu Akbar” before stabbing the garda and expressed support for the terrorist group calling itself Islamic State during subsequent interviews.
Court Sentencing
Appearing before the non-jury Special Criminal Court in Dublin on Monday, Khan was sentenced to seven-and-a-half years, with the final 12 months suspended. The start of the sentence was backdated to July 29, 2025. Presiding were Ms Justice Karen O'Connor, Judge Sarah Berkeley and Judge Fiona Lydon.
The court was told that after his arrest, Khan admitted attacking the pub. He told gardaí that people had insulted the Prophet Mohammed and that he was outraged. He admitted he was a supporter of Isis and jihadism and that he attacked gardaí and set the pub on fire to send a message to McGregor not to insult the Prophet Mohammed. He said he was angry and believed McGregor had helped grow the far right in Ireland.
Radicalisation and Attack Details
The court heard Khan had been radicalised when he was 19 or 20. He said he was inspired by Al Zarqawi, founder of Islamist terrorist organisation ISISI, and had listened to his speeches.
Following the stabbing, Garda Lynch felt a sharp pain on his right side and turned to see a man with a blade who shouted “Allahu Akbar” twice. The garda said he felt scared and realised his life was threatened when he saw Khan holding a knife close to his chest. He received four stitches to his arm and two under his forearm.
The court was told Khan battled mental health issues, did not trust doctors or psychiatrists, and characterised them as a “sham”. His family had concerns and tried to have him engage with a professional, but he refused. Khan said that in the days leading up to the attack he snapped.
Judge's Remarks and Aftermath
Ms Justice O'Connor said the attacks were premeditated and planned, noting Khan went to the pub with accelerant, rags and matches. She said he went to Capel Street armed with a knife and attacked the victims, members of An Garda Síochána, in an unprovoked incident, attacking the guard from behind. She noted members of the public, including young children, were present and should not have been exposed to the incident. She said the attacks involved terrorist activity and that the CCTV footage made for “disturbing viewing”.
Khan will remain under probation supervision for four years following his release from prison. Ms Justice O'Connor wished the garda victims well in the future.
Speaking outside court, Detective Chief Superintendent Brian Woods said the sentencing highlights the “need for vigilance to the dangers of extreme ideologies”. He said: “Abdullah Khan’s unprovoked attack on two unarmed uniformed members of An Garda Síochána on July 29 2025 and an arson attack on a licensed premises in Dublin on July 25 2025 were both motivated by an extreme ideology, an ideology based upon a perversion of a legitimate faith.”
Mr Woods said gardaí remain “exceptionally alert to the threats from terrorism and violent political extremism” and would continue to investigate these crimes and make “early interventions and disrupt potential risks where radicalisation is identified”. He commended Garda Patrick Nevin and Garda Gary Lynch for their bravery and resilience in responding to the assault and arresting Khan, adding that his thoughts remain with them as Gary continues to recover from his injuries.
