A five-year-old girl who was stabbed in the Parnell Square attack in Dublin on November 23, 2023, will require 24-hour care for the rest of her life, a court heard on June 26, 2026. The child, who cannot be named for legal reasons, suffered catastrophic injuries in the attack, which also injured two other children and a care assistant.
Dr. Louise O'Reilly, a consultant pediatrician, testified at the Central Criminal Court that the girl has no control over her limbs, is at risk of developing scoliosis, and suffers from painful muscular spasms. The court was told that the injuries are permanent and that the child will need full-time medical and personal care indefinitely.
The attack occurred outside a school on Parnell Square East. The suspect, Riad Bouchaker, 52, is charged with three counts of attempted murder and five counts of assault causing harm. The trial is ongoing.
