ISLAMIC STATE SUPPORTER JAILED OVER MCGREGOR PUB FIRE AND GARDA STABBING

Abdullah Khan has been jailed at Dublin's Special Criminal Court for setting fire to a pub owned by Conor McGregor and stabbing a police officer last July. Khan, a supporter of the group that calls itself Islamic State, pleaded guilty to eight offences, including terrorist activity, assault causing harm and criminal damage. Ms Justice Karen O'Connor sentenced him to seven and a half years, with the final 12 months suspended, backdated to July 29, 2025. Irish police said Khan shouted "Allahu Akbar" before stabbing Garda Gary Lynch on Capel Street, having set fire to McGregor's Black Forge Inn four days earlier on July 25.

The court heard Khan poured an accelerant over the Black Forge Inn and set it alight with matches, telling gardaí he was outraged that people had insulted the Prophet Mohammed. Describing himself as a "jihadi", Khan said he was a supporter of Isis and jihadism and had attacked the pub and the officer to send McGregor a message not to insult the Prophet. He said he believed McGregor had helped grow the far right in Ireland. He added that he had become radicalised at 19 or 20, inspired by the speeches of Al Zarqawi, the founder of Isis.

The sentence was handed down on Monday following a hearing before the non-jury Special Criminal Court, which handles terrorism-related cases. Garda Lynch told the court he felt a sharp pain in his right side before turning to see Khan holding a blade and shouting "Allahu Akbar". Khan was arrested after the stabbing and admitted the arson attack during later interviews. He also expressed support for the group calling itself Islamic State during those interviews, Irish police said.