The young girl who was grievously injured during the knife attack outside her school in Parnell Square in November 2023 is now attending a non-mainstream school who are going “above and beyond” for the child, her family have revealed
The child, who has not been named for privacy reasons, now attends a non-mainstream school full time, her family said in an update to their Go Fund Me page, as they paid tribute to the “very special” institution, and staff who are helping their little girl.
Two other children and a “heroic” crèche worker who intervened to protect the children were also injured in the attack in Parnell Square East on November 23 2023.
Last year, the family of the little girl shared the reality of her long road to recovery, after revealing she had suffered “life-changing” injuries, including an acquired brain injury.
Speaking to the Irish Independent in 2024, the girl’s mother revealed that her daughter, who had just started junior infants at the time of the attack, is non-verbal and cannot walk. She is fed through a PEG tube and needs constant care.
“The little girl we knew died that day,” her mother Nicola said at the time. “She did die. So, on November 23, we’re going to celebrate her second birth. Her rebirth. I think that the important thing is to know there is there is hope and there is beauty and there is love.”
The child, who has been named as Emily, had spent 281 days in CHI Temple Street before being discharged from hospital.
“It has been a while since I have posted anything, but time elapses so quickly when you are fully immersed in everyday life,” the family said in a note posted in recent days to the fundraiser which was launched to help them in the aftermath of the attack.
“For us who see our angel warrior every day, it is more difficult to notice advances and changes in her, but for those who see her less often, her progress is clear,” the family, who have not gone public but have been interviewed in the Irish media, said.
“She has been attending school full-time. She is not attending mainstream school, just to clarify. The staff at this very special institution have gone above and beyond (in our eyes) to make our little girl feel part of the group, even after joining mid-school year. We are forever grateful to the love and dedication everyone has shown her.”
They also said that their daughter has been attempting different sounds (some nasal ones), and “moving her arms with more intent,” adding: “Her happiness is infectious.”
“We have had some challenging days; we all go through them, even if we wouldn’t like a 6-year-old to have to.
“As summer approaches, we are so happy to be able to spend it at home, hoping to spend days outdoors, smell the warm air, enjoy the sun and the sea.”
They also informed the public that there are “more updates to come.”
A man has been charged in relation to the incident. His case is currently before the Circuit Criminal Court, with the Dublin court informed last month that four months would be needed to complete a psychiatric report on the accused. Riad Bouchaker, 50, of no fixed address, is accused of trying to murder two girls and a boy. Bouchaker, who is originally from Algeria, faces eight charges in relation to the incident.
He is also accused of causing serious harm to a care worker, and assault causing harm to another male child and a girl, as well as the production of a 36cm kitchen knife. Additionally, he is charged with assault causing harm to a French national.
Last month, Mr. Justice Paul McDermott heard that a neuro-psychological report in respect of the accused is being compiled by Dr. Mary Davoren but has been delayed due to “access to the prison” as well as access to “an interpreter”.