Book Offer
This will close in 10 seconds
Dr Yvonne O’Dowd of Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) has told a jury at the Central Criminal Court that the DNA of Riad Bouchaker was found on the handle of a 36cm kitchen knife, which was recovered from the scene of a stabbing outside a school on Parnell Square on the 23rd of November 2023.Â
O’Dowd, who has a PhD in biochemistry from UCD as well as experience as a research scientist, said that samples were generated from a number of individuals who were involved in the incident, including a five-year-old girl who suffered life-changing injuries.Â
The court heard that the knife seized by Gardaà from the area was 2-and-a-half cm at its widest point and that blood and “cellular material” or “tissue” was found on the blade.
On the left side of the blade, blood which matched the DNA profile of the most seriously wounded child was found, which Dr O’Dowd said was 1,000×1,000,000 more times to come from the child in question than from an unrelated person.Â
She said that the “tissue” sample was at a low level and “incomplete” with a mixed DNA profile generated.
DNA from the tip of the right side of the blade also matched the same child at a rate of 1,000X1,000,000 more likely to be from her than an unrelated individual.Â
The centre right side of the blade had mixed samples from a major contributor: Leanne Flynn, Â a minor contributor, a female child who received a wound to her scalp, and two trace contributors which could not be matched, the court heard.
A black jacket belonging to the accused was found to have blood stains on the chest area, right shoulder, sleeve, and right chest area, a sample of which returned a match with Riad Bouchaker.
The accused’s own blood was also found on the front left knee of the jeans he was wearing and on the back of the vest he was wearing.
The court heard that cuts on the clothing were consistent with medical intervention.
The trial continues.
This will close in 10 seconds