Self-styled ‘jihadi’ who stabbed garda and attacked Conor McGregor pub jailed

A supporter of so-called Islamic State who stabbed a garda and set fire to a pub owned by Conor McGregor has been jailed for six-and-a-half years by a court in Dublin.

Abdullah Khan, 24, appeared before the non-jury Special Criminal Court in Dublin on Monday.

Khan pleaded guilty to a number of offences, including stabbing Garda Gary Lynch on Capel Street in Dublin city on July 29 last year and the arson attack on the Black Forge Inn, a bar owned by McGregor, days earlier on July 25.

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.

Presiding over the court were Ms Justice Karen O’Connor, Judge Sarah Berkeley and Judge Fiona Lydon.

Ms Justice O’Connor sentenced Khan to seven-and-a-half years, with the final 12 months of the sentence suspended.

The start of the sentence will be backdated to July 29 2025.

Khan pleaded guilty to eight offences, which occurred over two days last year, including criminal damage, assault causing harm, engaging in terrorist activity and endangerment.

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.

The self-described “jihadi” told gardaí that people had insulted the Prophet Mohammed and that he was outraged by this.

Khan 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 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 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 Islamist terrorist organisation ISISI, Al Zarqawi, and had listened to his speeches and was inspired by ISISI ideology.

The court also heard that 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.

The court was told that Khan battled mental health issues, did not trust doctors or psychiatrists, and characterised them as a “sham”.

Khan’s 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.

Ms Justice O’Connor said that the attacks were premeditated and planned, and that he went to the pub with accelerant, rags and matches.

She said Khan went to Capel Street armed with a knife and attacked the victims, who were members of An Garda Síochána, in an unprovoked incident.

He attacked the guard from behind, leaving him no opportunity to defend himself.

There were also members of the public present, including young children who Ms Justice O’Connor said should not have been exposed to the incident.

She said the attacks involved terrorist activity.

She said the two guards gave compelling victim impact statements, and that the CCTV footage of the incident made for “disturbing viewing”.

She sentenced Khan to a total of seven-and-a-half years, with the final year to be suspended.

He 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, a senior garda said that the sentencing of Khan highlights the “need for vigilance to the dangers of extreme ideologies”.

Detective Chief Superintendent Brian Woods 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.

“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”.

He said gardaí would continue to investigate these crimes and make “early interventions and disrupt potential risks where radicalisation is identified”.

Mr Woods added: “The Khan case clearly highlights the daily dangers to which members of An Garda Síochána are exposed.

“Garda Patrick Nevin and Garda Gary Lynch were on a routine patrol when they were attacked without provocation or warning.

“I want to commend those two fine colleagues on their bravery and resilience in responding to a vicious assault and overpowering and arresting Abdullah Khan.

“My thoughts, as are those of every member of An Garda Síochána, remain with Patrick and, in particular, Gary, as he continues to recover from injuries sustained during this assault.”