Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 3480Arson, assault causing harm, terrorist activity · Co. Dublin · 25 Jul 2025

Abdullah Khan, 24, at sentencing for arson at McGregor pub and stabbing garda in Dublin

Abdullah Khan, 24, a self-described Salafi jihadist, appeared at the Special Criminal Court for sentencing after pleading guilty to arson at Conor McGregor's Black Forge Inn pub and stabbing a garda on Capel Street in Dublin in July 2025. He told detectives he was inspired by Islamic State founder Musab al-Zarqawi and wanted to send a message to those who insult the prophet Muhammad.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court23 Mar
    2 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
35 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatKhan pleaded guilty to charges relating to the stabbing and arson attack on the Black Forge Inn. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatKhan expressed support for Isis during police interviews. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatKhan was tackled by a member of the public before being arrested by Garda Nevin. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatKhan admitted to the arson attack on the Black Forge Inn on 25 July 2025. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe cost of repairing damage to the Black Forge Inn was over €62,000. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatKhan poured petrol on the Black Forge Inn and set it on fire with a match. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatGarda Lynch sustained two stab wounds in his right dominant arm. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatKhan was born in Ireland and is the youngest of six siblings. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatKhan had spent some time studying abroad in Pakistan. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatKhan has no previous convictions. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatKhan had been homeless for a period and had mental health issues. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatBetween the arson and stabbing, Khan got a lift to Belfast, then flew to Valencia, Rome, and Leeds-Bradford before returning to Dublin. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatKhan threw away a mobile phone he had been using before the stabbing. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatKhan said he made up his mind to stab a guard and described it as a protest, political act, and message. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatKhan did not expect Garda Lynch to die but wanted to injure him to make a point. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatKhan has been in custody since his arrest in July 2025. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatKhan had been living in the family home at the time of the attack. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatKhan told detectives he was inspired by Musab al-Zarqawi, founder of Islamic State, and pledged allegiance to the organisation. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatKhan is 24 and describes himself as a Salafi jihadist. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatKhan was charged with committing arson on 25 July 2025 at the Black Forge Inn, Drimnagh Road, Dublin 12, by pouring petrol on the front door and lighting it with a match. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatKhan was charged with assaulting Garda Gary Lynch, causing him harm, on 29 July 2025 at Capel Street. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatKhan was charged with producing a knife during the Capel Street incident and two counts of endangerment. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatLynch suffered two lacerations to his arm requiring stitches and nerve damage requiring surgery. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatKhan said McGregor had helped the far right to grow in Ireland and held him responsible for insults to the prophet. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatKhan said it was a message to the Irish Government that if people insult the prophet under the name of free speech, there will be people who are angry. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe stabbing took place on Capel Street, Dublin. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereLynch and Nevin were on foot patrol near Little Britain Street in Dublin city centre when Khan ran up behind them carrying a knife. (irishtimes.com)
  • weaponKhan stabbed Garda Lynch in the arm with a Tactix knife. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationAn SDU investigation is ongoing with lines of inquiry still open. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe SDU became involved due to concern that Khan had been radicalised by Islam. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeKhan was charged with two counts of engaging in terrorist activity or terrorist-linked activity. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtKhan is due to be sentenced on 20 April 2026. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherKhan has a history of social isolation, depression and paranoia. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherKhan came from a professional family but became homeless for some months before the offences. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherKhan has an address in Dublin that cannot be published due to a court order. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 23 Mar2026
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Isis-inspired man who attacked gardaí and Conor McGregor’s pub is part of ‘like-minded’ group

    Sentencing hearing details: Khan's stated motivation (inspiration from al-Zarqawi, anger at insults to the prophet), the ongoing SDU investigation into a wider group, victim impact statement from Garda Lynch, and adjournment of sentencing to 20 April 2026.

    accused, Abdullah Khan, 24, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Abdullah Khanvictim, Gary Lynch, male, irish (judged from name)Gary Lynchvictim, Patrick Nevin, male, irish (judged from name)Patrick Nevinvictim, Conor McGregor, male, irish (judged from name)Conor McGregor
  2. 23 Mar2026
    In courtirishmirror.ie, follow-up
    Court hears man who attacked garda and Conor McGregor’s pub was Isis supporter

    Sentencing hearing details: Khan's motive (protesting insults to the Prophet Muhammad), his background (born in Ireland, studied in Pakistan, homeless, mental health issues, no prior convictions), the sequence of events (arson 25 July, travel to Belfast/Valencia/Rome/Leeds, stabbing 29 July), victim impact statements, and defence submissions about his mental health crisis and guilty plea at earliest opportunity.

    accused, Abdullah Khan, 24, male, Irish, named, irishAbdullah Khanvictim, Gary Lynch, male, irish (judged from name)Gary Lynchvictim, Patrick Nevin, male, irish (judged from name)Patrick Nevin