Overview
- The case arises from a knife attack on Parnell Square East that injured several children and a crèche worker on 23 November 2023, with one young girl left non‑verbal and using a wheelchair.
- Riad Bouchaker, 52, faces eight charges including attempted murder of three children and causing serious harm to care worker Leanne Flynn, and he has pleaded not guilty to all counts.
- Prosecutors highlighted CCTV showing roughly 15 seconds between Bouchaker moving in and intervention, the use of a 36cm carving knife, and eyewitness and forensic evidence to argue he intended to kill.
- The defence pointed to claimed impairment, Garda interviews in which Bouchaker said he experienced a blackout and referenced prior brain surgery, and urged jurors to consider lesser verdicts such as assault causing (serious) harm.
- Mr Justice Tony Hunt told jurors they must assess specific intent and closeness to causing death — the judge explained alternative verdicts and warned them to set aside emotion before they began deliberations.