Courts / Dublin / Report

Riad Bouchaker told gardai he was upset over negative social welfare decision

Date
2026-06-23
Stage
Trial
Primary locality
Dublin City
County
Dublin

Summary

Riad Bouchaker told gardai that his anger over a negative social welfare decision led him to attempt to murder three children in Dublin city centre. He stated that the Department of Social Welfare's refusal to grant him a disability allowance made him feel 'like this country is telling me to leave.' He mentioned that he had an injury in his head and a shoulder injury and could not work. He said he did not counterfeit anything to get the disability allowance and that if the department had helped him, 'this wouldn't have happened.' He also told gardai that he went to a mosque on Talbot Street to leave a bag containing his belongings and his Algerian and Irish passports. He said he was not thinking of going to hurt people when he left the suitcase. The trial jury has been viewing DVDs of Bouchaker's garda interviews from December 20, 2023, at Mountjoy Garda Station. He had been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Riad Bouchaker told gardai he was upset over negative social welfare decision. Charges or matters: the attempted murder of two girls and one boy, and assau. Procedural stage: trial

When:

Why: " Mr Bouchaker said he knew he did something wrong, adding: "I was upset because of the negative decision from social welfare but I didn't mean to hurt anyone. CNI source report

Case subjects

Unnamed accused

Accused

Charges: the attempted murder of two girls and one boy, and assau (Alleged Or Contested)

Places mentioned

Incident
Address Area
  • Talbot Street
  • Parnell Square
Garda Station
  • at Mountjoy Garda Station
  • Mountjoy
  • fourth interview at Mountjoy Garda Station

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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