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The Minister for Justice has told an Independent TD that it would not be appropriate for him to comment on the successful application for Irish citizenship made by Riad Bouchaker, who was found guilty of attempted murder last week after an unprecedented attack on primary school children in Parnell Square in 2023.
Bouchaker came to Ireland more than 25 years ago. Almost nothing is known about his employment history in this country. He was on Jobseeker’s Allowance, and angry because he had been asked to provide more details regarding same, on the day that he “ferociously” attacked the children, the court heard.
He was also heard by a witness saying, “Shit Irish, shit f**king Irish” as he passed her on the 23rd of November 2023.
Deputy Carol Nolan asked Minister Jim O’Callaghan for information on Bouchaker’s application for Irish citizenship; the date and month when their application was approved by one of his predecessors; the reason the person who appeared to have been out of work for many years and suffering from serious health problems qualified for consideration for Irish citizenship; and whether he plans to ask his officials to investigate this matter.
In response, the Minister for Justice said: “I can advise the Deputy that it would not be appropriate for me to comment on the specific circumstances of this case.”
“The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. All applications for a certificate of naturalisation are processed and assessed individually in accordance with the provisions of the Act.”
Deputy Nolan posted on X that she felt “the Minister completely avoided answering question on how he got Irish citizenship and if this serious matter would be investigated.”
She also told Gript that “I accept that there is a rationale in most instances for not commenting on individual cases. But this is not ‘most cases.’ This is a unique instance of brutal and savage violence by someone who was technically approved for Irish citizenship while doing nothing to merit it in real terms.”
“The Minister cannot hide behind procedural protocols in this case. He must recognise the urgent need to investigate and he must offer every assurance possible that an investigation will be launched, including, but not limited to the possible revocation of his ‘citizenship’,” she added.
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