Psychiatric report on man charged over Parnell Square stabbings being assessed

By Cate McCurry, PA

A psychiatric report on Riad Bouchaker, who is charged with attempting to murder three children and assaulting a care worker during an incident in Dublin, is being assessed by the prosecution, a court has been told.

Mr Bouchaker, of no fixed abode, was charged with the attempted murder of two female children and one male child.

He was also charged with the assault causing serious harm to a care worker.

He was further charged with three counts of assault causing harm as well as the possession and production of a 36cm kitchen knife.

The incident happened at Parnell Square on November 23rd, 2023.

A senior counsel for Mr Bouchaker told the Central Criminal Court on Wednesday that a psychiatric report has been made available to the DPP.

A prosecution barrister said that the report is being assessed by Dr O’Connell.

Mr Justice Paul McDermott put the matter back for mention to October 22nd.

Justice McDermott told the court on Wednesday that cases involving young children should be given priority and noted the ages of the complainants.

A five-year-old girl and a woman in her 30s were left in a critical condition in hospital after the attack near a school on November 23rd.

Two other young children, a five-year-old boy and six-year-old girl, were also injured.

The attack happened hours before a riot broke out in the city centre of the capital.