court sentencing was adjourned in Dublin on Monday after the Special Criminal Court said it needed a fuller report before it could finalise the case of Abdullah Khan. The 24-year-old had pleaded guilty to stabbing a garda and setting fire to a pub owned by Conor McGregor in a separate incident. Judge Karen O’Connor said the court wants a comprehensive Probation Service report that addresses Khan’s radicalisation, with an update now set for July 13.
Sentencing delayed as court seeks fuller report
Khan appeared before the non-jury three-judge court for sentencing, but the judge said the matter could not be concluded at this stage. To help the probation process, the court ordered that an expert report prepared for the prosecution be made available. Khan remains in custody.
The charges he admitted cover eight offences. They include arson at the Black Forge Inn, Drimnagh Road, Dublin 12, on July 25, 2025, and the attack on two gardaí at Capel Street four days later. The court had already heard that the earlier incident involved Khan shouting “Allahu akbar” before stabbing one officer and expressing support for Islamic State during later interviews.
What the court heard about the attacks
During the sentencing hearing, the details set out in court described a violent confrontation on foot patrol near Little Britain Street. Det Sgt Liam McLoughlin told the court that Gda Gary Lynch and Gda Patrick Nevin were approached from behind, with Khan carrying a knife and stabbing Gda Lynch in the arm while shouting “Allahu Akbar. ”
The two gardaí created distance from the attacker as he continued to wield the knife and move towards them. They used batons and pepper spray, and a member of the public helped bring Khan to the ground before the arrest was completed. Gda Lynch later required stitches and surgery after suffering two lacerations and nerve damage.
Immediate reaction inside the courtroom
In a victim impact statement, Gda Lynch described shock, disbelief, ongoing pain, discomfort, and stress. Det Insp Gavin Ross also told the court that the Special Detective Unit became involved because of concerns that Khan had been radicalised and was part of a wider group of like-minded radicals.
Judge Karen O’Connor said the court was seeking a structured probation report that would address Khan’s radicalisation, adding that post-release supervision would need to be significant. That point has now pushed the sentencing of the man who stabbed garda, set fire to pub back to July 13.
Background and next steps
The case has moved through the Special Criminal Court because it is a non-jury court. Khan entered guilty pleas to all eight charges, including the terrorist activity and terrorist-linked activity counts connected to both dates.
The next hearing will be on July 13, when the court is expected to receive an update on the probation material and decide whether it can finally proceed. Until then, the sentencing of the man who stabbed garda, set fire to pub remains on hold.
