Abdullah Khan, 24, pleaded guilty to eight offences committed over two days in July last year, including stabbing Garda Gary Lynch on Capel Street in Dublin on July 29, 2025, and the arson attack on the Black Forge Inn, a bar owned by Conor McGregor, on July 25. Irish police said Khan shouted "Allahu Akbar" before the stabbing and expressed support for the terrorist group calling itself Islamic State during interviews afterwards.
Sentence and court findings
Ms Justice Karen O'Connor, sitting with Judge Sarah Berkeley and Judge Fiona Lydon at the non-jury Special Criminal Court in Dublin, sentenced Khan to seven-and-a-half years, with the final 12 months suspended. The start of the sentence was backdated to July 29, 2025, and he will remain under probation supervision for four years following his release.
The offences included criminal damage, assault causing harm, engaging in terrorist activity and endangerment. Ms Justice O'Connor said the attacks were premeditated and planned, and that Khan went to the pub with accelerant, rags and matches. She said he went to Capel Street armed with a knife and attacked members of An Garda Síochána in an unprovoked incident, striking the guard from behind and leaving him no opportunity to defend himself. Members of the public, including young children, were present, and she said the attacks involved terrorist activity.
The judge said the two guards gave compelling victim impact statements and that CCTV footage of the incident made for "disturbing viewing".
The arson attack and the stabbing
The court was told that after Khan was arrested following the stabbing, he admitted attacking the Black Forge Inn days earlier. He poured an accelerant over the front of the building and set it alight with matches.
Khan admitted he was a supporter of Isis and jihadism and said he had attacked the police officer and set the pub on fire to send a message to its owner, McGregor, not to insult the Prophet Mohammed. He said he was angry and believed that McGregor was someone who had helped grow the far right in Ireland. The self-described "jihadi" told gardaí that people had insulted the Prophet Mohammed and that he was outraged by this.
Following the stabbing, Garda Lynch felt a sharp pain on his right side and turned to notice a man in possession of a blade who then shouted "Allahu Akbar" twice. The guard said he felt scared and realised there had been a threat to his life when he saw Khan holding a knife close to his chest. He felt no movement to his right arm and dropped to his knees using his baton as support. He received four stitches to his arm and two under his forearm.
Radicalisation and mental health
The court was told that Khan had always been a spiritual person but had been radicalised when he was 19 or 20. He said he was inspired by the founder of the Islamist terrorist organisation Isis, Al Zarqawi, had listened to his speeches and was inspired by Isis ideology.
Khan battled mental health issues, did not trust doctors or psychiatrists, and characterised them as a "sham". His family had concerns about him and had tried to have him engage with a professional, but he refused. Khan said that in the days leading up to the attack he snapped.
Garda reaction outside court
Speaking outside court, Detective Chief Superintendent Brian Woods said the sentencing highlighted the "need for vigilance to the dangers of extreme ideologies". He told reporters: "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."
He added: "This case, similar to other recent cases finalised before the courts, clearly highlights the need for vigilance to the dangers extreme ideologies, political, religious, or non-aligned extremism pose." 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 said: "Garda Patrick Nevin and Garda Gary Lynch were on a routine patrol when they were attacked without provocation or warning." He commended the two colleagues on their bravery and resilience in responding to the assault and arresting Khan, adding that his thoughts remain with Patrick and, in particular, Gary as he continues to recover from his injuries.
