Riad Bouchaker’s sentencing adjourned until 16 November

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

The Central Criminal Court heard victim impact statements at Riad Bouchaker’s sentencing hearing on 12 October. Bouchaker was convicted earlier this year of attempting to murder three children and of offences against childcare worker Leanne Flynn, two other children and a teenager who took the knife from him.

The most seriously injured child’s mother said her daughter would need round-the-clock care for life. Flynn told the court that her injuries had changed her family’s lives and that she had been unable to return to work. Defence counsel argued that Bouchaker’s mental capacity at the time of the attack and since should be considered in sentencing. Mr Justice Tony Hunt said he had much to consider and set 16 November for sentence.