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Riad Bouchaker told gardai that he 'did not want to kill', trial hears
Summary
Riad Bouchaker, 52, is standing trial at the Central Criminal Court before Mr Justice Tony Hunt and a jury of nine men and three women. He has pleaded not guilty to the alleged attempted murder of two girls and one boy, assault causing serious harm to creche worker Leanne Flynn, and other assaults on children and a teenager at Parnell Square East in Dublin City on November 23, 2023. The jury heard evidence from Sergeant Ben Geoghegan regarding Bouchaker's first police interview on December 20, 2023, conducted with a French-Arabic interpreter and his solicitor present. During the interview, Bouchaker stated he did not want to kill and described the incident as a mistake, saying he found himself with a knife and blood. He expressed a desire for the gardai to do whatever they wanted, citing a belief that the outcome was in the hands of God. Prosecution counsel Karl Finnegan SC noted that Bouchaker was interviewed seven times in total. The trial is ongoing, with the jury scheduled to hear the second interview next, followed by the final interview and memos of other sessions. The matter remains at the trial stage, with no final verdict or sentence recorded in this report.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Riad Bouchaker told gardai that he 'did not want to kill', trial hears. Charges or matters: the attempted murder of two girls and one boy, and assault causing serious harm to creche worker Leanne Flynn, at Parnell Square East in Dublin City on November 23rd, 2023; all charges and his trial is before Mr Justice Tony Hunt and a jury of nine men and three women. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- December 20, 2023 Incident
- November 23rd, 2023 Incident
- 2026-06-22 Publication
Why: " His interpreter explained that Mr Bouchaker made a "gesture of stabbing three or four times". CNI source report
Case subjects
Applicant
Charges: all charges and his trial is before Mr Justice Tony Hunt and a jury of nine men and three women (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Defendant
Charges: the attempted murder of two girls and one boy, and assault causing serious harm to creche worker Leanne Flynn, at Parnell Square East in Dublin City on November 23rd, 2023; all charges and his trial is before Mr Justice Tony Hunt and a jury of nine men and three women (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: Whatever you guys want to do, please do." As Gda Moran was explaining that they would look after his welfare during his detention, Mr Bouchaker said: "I understand.
Places mentioned
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