The little girl who spent weeks in intensive care following a horrific stabbing attack on children and a care worker at a school in Parnell Square is out of danger – and has even smiled, her mother has said.
The condition of the five year old girl, who was critically ill after receiving serious injuries in the attack carried out by an Algerian national living in Ireland for many years, has now improved, her mother revealed in an update to a GoFundme page to help the young victim and her family.
The GoFundMe page, which is entitled ‘Barróg do Chailín Beag’ (A Hug for a Little Girl), seeks to help the family with costs of after the incident, and the update was to thank everyone for their help and give the good news about the girl’s condition.
“Barróg is the name of the teddy who has been keeping a special school seat warm,” Róisín, a family friend who set up the fundraiser said.
“I’m setting up this GoFundMe specifically for the little girl who is currently in Temple Street fighting for her life. This fund is to help her family (who I know personally) in any way that they need to get them through this nightmare – whether its medical costs, their lunches, hospital parking, travel etc,” Róisín wrote at the time.
Now, an update from the little girl’s mother says:
Hi everyone, here is the little girl’s mum. Just to wish everyone a delayed Christmas and a Happy new year. Our angel has been out of the PICU for two weeks now.”
“She is more alert and even smiled. We still have a long time still in hospital, but she is out of danger. Thank you everyone for all the help and support. All our love.”
The suspect in the multiple stabbing incident which took place outside Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire has appeared before the courts.
Riad Bouchaker, who is 50 years of age, was brought before Dublin District Court on December 21st to face eight charges in relation to the incident which saw a five year old girl and a female child care worker seriously injured.
Two other children were also injured in the attack, but were later released from hospital.
It was reported that during the reading of the charges laid against Bouchaker, he said ‘I am a sick man’ – and that he was unable to understand what was being said in the court before Judge Bryan Smyth.
He listened to proceedings with the help of an Arabic interpreter.
Boucharker was charged with the attempted murder of a male child, two separate counts of attempting to murder two female children, and causing serious harm to a care worker.
He was also charged with assault causing harm to another male child and a girl as well as production of a 36cm kitchen knife.
A candlelit vigil was held in O’Connell Street in Dublin at the beginning of the month, for all those injured in the unprecedented knife attack. Prayers were offered for the children and their care workers at the GPO as candles were lit and held up by participants.
Parents and supporters of Gaelscoil Cholaiste Mhuire hold a vigil at the Spire on O’Connell Street for the children and creche worker who were stabbed outside their school last Thursday night pic.twitter.com/nMIDDXOTX7
— Alison O’Reilly (@AlisonMaryORE) November 30, 2023