Girl injured in Dublin stabbing at ‘school full-time’

By Gráinne Ní Aodha, PA

A girl who was seriously injured in the knife attack in Dublin’s Parnell Square is back in full-time education, her family has said.

Through a message on a GoFundMe page, the family said the girl is not in mainstream education and that the staff at the institution she is attending have “gone above and beyond” for her.

Two other children and a creche worker were also hurt in the attack in Parnell Square East on November 23rd, 2023.

The girl, who is now aged six but was five at the time, was gravely injured and spent several weeks in paediatric intensive care.

She spent more than 370 days in hospital before moving home.

Earlier this year, she was said to be “thriving” and does not remember the incident in November 2023.

They said she had begun communicating on a “a whole new level” in March.

In an update on Thursday, her family said: “She has been attending school full-time. She is not attending mainstream school, just to clarify.

“The staff at this very special institution have gone above and beyond [in our eyes] to make our little girl feel part of the group, even after joining mid-school year.

“We are forever grateful to the love and dedication everyone has shown her.

“She has been attempting different sounds [some nasal ones], and moving her arms with more intent.

“Her happiness is infectious.

“We have had some challenging days; we all go through them, even if we wouldn’t like a six-year-old to have to.

“As summer approaches, we are so happy to be able to spend it at home, hoping to spend days outdoors, smell the warm air, enjoy the sun and the sea.”

A man has been charged in relation to the incident and his case is before a Dublin court.

Riad Bouchaker (50), of no fixed address, is accused of trying to murder two girls and a boy.

He is also charged with assault causing serious harm to a creche worker.

He is further charged with three counts of assault causing harm and the possession and production of a knife.