The family of the child injured in the Parnell Square knife attack last November say their daughter will celebrate her sixth birthday this week, almost one year on from the terrifying incident.
Posting an update on a GoFundMe campaign page organised by a family friend, the family, who wished to remain anonymous, explained how the child remains non-verbal one year later. In the “bittersweet” update, they reflected on how the plans she made aged five – such as learning to ride a bike – had to be put on hold.
The Barróg do Chailín Beag fundraiser – named after the teddy who has “been keeping a school seat warm” for the child during her rehabilitation – has so far raised €236,000, with the family thanking the public for their support during the last year.
In late February of this year, a man charged with the attempted murder of two young girls and a boy in the attack was sent forward for trial at the Central Criminal Court.
The two other children were released from hospital, along with crèche worker Leanne Flynn Keogh, from Dublin, who was also seriously injured during the attack.
Riad Bouchaker, 50, of no fixed abode, only spoke once to confirm his name and was helped by an Arabic interpreter during the proceedings.
“This week holds a bittersweet feeling. Our sweet girl turns 6. She had just turned 5 when all this started. She had been in Junior infants for a couple of months. She had met her cousins in my hometown for the first time. She had plans for her 5: she wanted to master riding a bike in order to get roller skates by the time she turned 6. We had to put that plan on hold,” the update, posted on Monday, reads.
They also compared their little girl to a caterpillar as they undergo chrysalis before growing into a butterfly.
“This weekend I got our face paint kit out and asked her what she wanted to be. To be honest, I am not good at it, but it was simply a moment of fun. After much deliberation, her eyes lingered on the butterfly one. She is still non-verbal.
“While I painted her face in tones of pink and orange, I kept thinking of the book I bought while she was still in Temple Street. It was about the phases the caterpillar goes through before becoming a butterfly.”
‘IMPORTANT NOT TO DWELL ON THE UNKNOWN’
“Perhaps our angel was still a caterpillar in November of 2023. Now she is in her chrysalis, getting stronger, changing, adapting, and will come out a butterfly in the end.
It isn’t easy thinking of what could’ve been, but it’s important not to dwell in the unknown. We try to focus on the now and enjoy all the special moments we have,” the update reads.
The child had been discharged from hospital in September after remaining in Temple Street for 281 days. In a previous update, the family shared how they could “see changes in our little angel on a daily basis” as they thanked people for their generosity.
“The money has come a long way. Over the last months we have had to move to a bigger place with a wheelchair accessible layout, furnish the house thinking about space and functionality, get an adapted car which has enabled us to take our darling home at the weekends, plus daily costs. Not having a kitchen to cook meals in does add up,” they wrote, adding: “We are hoping to be home full time before Christmas. Thank you.”