A 52-year-old man has been convicted of attempting to murder three children and assaulting four others during a violent incident at Dublin’s Parnell Square in November 2023.
Riad Bouchaker, a man of no fixed address, was found guilty of all eight charges, including the assault causing serious harm of crèche worker Leanne Flynn, as well as assaults on two additional children and a teenager.
Evidence presented at the Central Criminal Court revealed that a five-year-old girl suffered a permanent brain injury after Bouchaker stabbed her in the heart.
Despite denying all charges, Bouchaker was found guilty on all counts following six hours of jury deliberation.
Upon the delivery of the verdict, Bouchaker was seen communicating with his interpreter. Judge Tony Hunt expressed his gratitude to the jury for their diligence, acknowledging that the evidence presented was “very difficult” to endure and noting that their verdicts were “entirely in line” with the facts of the case.
Bouchaker will remain in custody until his sentencing, which is scheduled for October 12.