Overview
- The Parnell Square East attack, which occurred on 23 November 2023, injured multiple children and an adult and left one girl with severe brain injuries who is now wheelchair‑bound and non‑verbal.
- On the third day of the trial prosecutors presented crime‑scene photos and physical items including a bloodstained beige jacket belonging to care worker Leanne Flynn, two children’s jackets, a pink schoolbag, a navy rucksack and packaging for a 24cm carving knife.
- Witnesses told the jury they heard abusive language before the attack and identified a man on CCTV and at the scene, with Patricia Byrne reporting she heard the attacker shout anti‑Irish insults and receptionist Luciana Yaya saying she recognised a man who had earlier entered her workplace.
- The accused, 52‑year‑old Riad Bouchaker of no fixed address, has pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and related charges and denies possessing a knife as the jury continues to hear forensic and testimonial evidence.
- The trial is sitting at the Central Criminal Court before Mr Justice Tony Hunt with a jury of nine men and three women and is expected to run up to five weeks as prosecutors and defence examine CCTV, exhibits and further witnesses.