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The Director of Public Prosecutions has opened its case against Riad Bocuchaker, the Algerian man who is charged with attempting to murder three small children outside their school on Parnell Square East in November 2023.
Bouchaker (52), who came to Ireland as an asylum seeker about 25 years ago, is charged that on the 23rd of November 2023, outside Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire on Parnell Square. Dublin 1, he attempted to murder a male child, attempted to murder two female children, and caused serious harm to a care worker.
He was also charged with assault causing harm in respect of another male child, assault causing harm in respect of a female child, assault causing harm in respect of a French national, and one count of production of a 36cm kitchen knife.
Carl Finnegan SC told the jury of nine men and three women that the accused was “upset” about a social welfare refusal letter he had received when he got a knife and allegedly used it to injure the children, one of whom sustained a large laceration to her chest, causing her to need immediate surgery.
It was also heard that the child had no pulse when an emergency response worker, who was flagged down by members of the public, conducted an initial examination of her.
Another female child suffered head injuries, and “bone fragments” were found in her hair, Mr Finnegan argued. He said that a male child suffered a laceration to his neck, and that a care worker, who grabbed Bouchaker from behind when she saw him stabbing at the children, sustained a large laceration and that she also needed surgery.
Two other children and a French man, who intervened, were injured in the attack, with Mr Finnegan arguing that Bouchaker had admitted that a knife found at the scene was his but that he did not want to “kill” anyone.
The trial continues with prosecution witnesses to be called this afternoon.
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