Courts / Dublin / Report

Defence suggest Riad Bouchaker could have been trying to 'terrify and intimidate' but not stab children

Date
2026-06-17

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Dublin City

County
Dublin

Summary

Riad Bouchaker, 52, is on trial at the Central Criminal Court, having pleaded not guilty to all charges. He is alleged to have attempted to murder two girls and one boy, assaulted creche worker Leanne Flynn causing serious harm, assaulted two other children and an adult male, and produced a knife in a manner likely to intimidate. The incident occurred at Parnell Square East on November 23, 2023. During cross-examination, defence counsel suggested to witness Catherine Carbery that Bouchaker's intention may have been to terrify and intimidate rather than stab, though she maintained she believed he was injuring a child. Another witness, Alison Carbery, stated she definitively saw the knife plunged into a child's torso. Carlos Antonio Lopes dos Santos testified that he saw Bouchaker strike a girl in the stomach or chest area. Former garda Adam Kealy described finding Bouchaker prone on the ground, restrained by a fire officer, and noted he was later sedated at Mater Hospital. The trial is presided over by Mr Justice Tony Hunt and a jury of nine men and three women. The defence has not yet entered a final plea or received a sentence, as the matter is currently at the trial stage. The proceedings are expected to last up to five weeks and continue before the court.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Defence suggest Riad Bouchaker could have been trying to 'terrify and intimidate' but not stab children. Charges or matters: all charges and his trial is expected to last up to five weeks. Procedural stage: trial

When:

November 23rd, 2023 Incident
2026-06-17 Publication

Why: Ms Carbery said she couldn't tell if the knife made contact with the child but it appeared to because of the actions of the man. CNI source report