Dublin stabbings: Man (50) charged with attempted murder of three children in Parnell Square

by Tom Tuite and Cillian Sherlock

A man has appeared in Dublin District Court charged with the attempted murder of three children and assault of a care worker during an incident at Parnell Square in the city last month.

Riad Bouchaker (50), of no fixed abode, was charged with the attempted murder of two female children and one male child.

He was also charged with assault causing serious harm to a care worker.

He was further charged with three counts of assault causing harm as well as the possession or production of a 36cm kitchen knife.

A girl, aged five, has been left fighting for her life after the incident.

Two other children were released from hospital. Crèche worker Leanne Flynn Keogh, from Dublin, was also seriously injured during the incident on the afternoon of November 23rd.

Detective Sergeant Padraig Cleary told the court that Mr Bouchaker was arrested at 12.51pm on Thursday and provided details of the charges and cautions.

The accused listened to the proceedings with the help of an Arabic interpreter after communicating that "I do not understand".

He did not address the court during the rest of the 10-minute hearing.

Judge Smyth had the garda witness restart, giving evidence to ensure the man understood.

Detective Sergeant Cleary said the accused made "no reply" when charged with "attempted murder of a female child".

Mr Bouchaker's reply to a second charge for attempted murder of a second female child was "I am a sick person".

The court heard he had no response when charged with attempted murder of a male child.

He had "no response" when charged with assault causing harm to another male child and a girl.

The court also heard he had no response when charged with causing serious harm to a care worker.

He had no reply when charged with assault, causing harm to a French national at the scene.

The final charge was for the production of a 36-centimetre kitchen knife, and in reply to that offence, he told gardaí, "I am a sick person".

There was a garda application to remand him in custody. The defence barrister said, "Due to the nature of the charges, we cannot advance a bail application".

The District Court does not have the power to consider a bail application in an attempted murder case, which requires a High Court application.

Judge Smyth remanded him in custody to appear at Cloverhill District Court via video link on December 28th. Legal aid was granted after a statement of the defendant's means was handed into court.

The court noted that Mr Bouchaker, dressed in a green jacket, black jumper, dark trousers and slippers, required medical attention.

Detective Sergeant Cleary confirmed a list of his medication had already been sent electronically to the medical section in Cloverhill Prison.

Judge Smyth acceded to a defence request to direct "appropriate medical attention" in custody.

Reporting restrictions

The defence lawyer also made an application which he described as "a little unusual" for Mr Bouchaker's legal team not to be identified in media reports.

He explained that this was because of "safety concerns" and "after what occurred around the city", adding there were concerns for the safety of those involved with Mr Bouchaker.

Detective Sergeant Cleary supported the request and said it had already been discussed and "deemed suitable".

Judge Smyth acceded and told reporters they must not name the members of the man's legal team.

Mandatory reporting restrictions under section 93 of the Children Act already apply to media coverage regarding the injured children who cannot be identified.

The legislation states: "No report shall be published or included in a broadcast which reveals the name, address or school of any child concerned in the proceedings or includes any particulars likely to lead to the identification of any child concerned in the proceedings."

The incident sparked a wave of unrest in the city, which led to riots, looting and vehicles being set on fire.

More than 40 people were arrested, about 30 of them have already been charged and are before the courts.

Security at the Criminal Courts of Justice was tightened for the man's hearing on Thursday.