Courts / Dublin / Report

Alleged Parnell Square attacker is unfit to stand trial, defence lawyers tell court

Date
2025-12-18

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

Riad Bouchaker, charged with assaulting a care worker and attempting to murder three children on Parnell Square in Dublin, is alleged to be unfit to stand trial due to a mental disorder, according to his defence lawyers. A consultant forensic psychiatrist testified that Bouchaker, who has a complex medical history, suffered a brain injury during the incident and had prior brain surgery. The psychiatrist stated that if Bouchaker is deemed unfit, he would be reviewed every six months by the mental health criminal law review board. Bouchaker, 51, faces multiple charges, including attempted murder and assault. The incident occurred on November 23, 2023, and involved a chaotic scene with multiple stab wounds to children and a care worker. The psychiatrist noted that Bouchaker has a history of epilepsy, a brain tumour, and partial blindness in his right eye. She found that he has moderate dementia and impaired judgment, making it difficult for him to understand the charges or mount a defence.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Alleged Parnell Square attacker is unfit to stand trial, defence lawyers tell court. Charges or matters: assaulting a care worker and attempting to murder three children on Parnell Square in Dublin, is suffering from a mental disorder and is unfit to stand trial, his lawyers have argued before the Central Criminal Court; the attempted murder of two girls and one boy, as well as with assault causing serious harm to a care worker. Procedural stage: trial

When:

November 23, 2023 Incident
November 23 Incident
December 20, 2023 Incident
November 2023 Other
January 19 Adjournment
2025-12-18 Publication

Why: The judge added: "In the circumstances of this case, I don't want to run any risk of anyone coming to misguided harm because they are doing a job that someone has to do. CNI source report

Case subjects

Riad Bouchaker

Accused

Charges: assaulting a care worker and attempting to murder three children on Parnell Square in Dublin, is suffering from a mental disorder and is unfit to stand trial, his lawyers have argued before the Central Criminal Court; the attempted murder of two girls and one boy, as well as with assault causing serious harm to a care worker (Alleged Or Contested)

Outcome: The hearing was adjourned until January 19 next and the accused was remanded in custody until that date.