Brazilian delivery driver who saved Parnell Square children speaks out after Bouchaker conviction
On the afternoon of 23 November 2023, Riad Bouchaker, a man aged 52, stabbed a group of schoolchildren in Parnell Square, Dublin, while they were being taken from school to a nearby creche. Caio Benicio, a delivery driver working for Deliveroo, struck Bouchaker in the head once with his helmet to intervene. Bouchaker was convicted in July 2026 of the attempted murder of three children and of intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm to Leanne Flynn, who suffered two collapsed lungs, a severed diaphragm, a damaged stomach and a punctured spleen. A five-year-old girl among the victims now uses a wheelchair, cannot swallow safely and is non-verbal. Bouchaker is due to be sentenced in October 2026.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Convicted16 Jul
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Riad Bouchaker, 52, stabbed a group of schoolchildren in Parnell Square, Dublin.
- Caio Benicio, a delivery driver working for Deliveroo, struck Bouchaker in the head once with his helmet to intervene.
- Leanne Flynn, who had been taking 13 schoolchildren from school to a nearby creche, suffered two collapsed lungs, a severed diaphragm, a damaged stomach and a punctured spleen.
- A five-year-old girl among the victims now uses a wheelchair, cannot swallow safely and is non-verbal.
- When
- The attack took place on the afternoon of 23 November 2023.
- Where
- Parnell Square, Dublin.
- In court
- Bouchaker was convicted of the attempted murder of three children.
- Bouchaker was also convicted of intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm to Leanne Flynn.
- Sentence
- Bouchaker is due to be sentenced in October 2026.
- Other details
- Riots following the attack were the most severe in the history of the Irish state, with buses and police cars set on fire and shops looted.
- More than €370,000 was raised for Caio Benicio via a GoFundMe.
- Caio Benicio is now a Dublin North Inner City candidate for Fianna Fail.
15 statements extracted from the articles
- whatCaio Benicio was working for Deliveroo when he intervened (irishmirror.ie)
- whatRiad Bouchaker, 52, stabbed school children in Parnell Square (irishmirror.ie)
- whatCaio hit Bouchaker in the head once with his helmet (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe five-year-old girl victim now uses a wheelchair, cannot swallow safely and is non-verbal (irishmirror.ie)
- whatLeanne Flynn suffered two collapsed lungs, a severed diaphragm, damaged stomach and a punctured spleen (irishmirror.ie)
- whatLeanne Flynn had been taking 13 schoolchildren from school to a nearby creche (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe riots following the attack were the most severe in the history of the Irish state (irishmirror.ie)
- whatBuses and police cars were set on fire and shops were looted during the riots (irishmirror.ie)
- whatMore than €370,000 was raised for Caio via a GoFundMe (irishmirror.ie)
- whatCaio Benicio is a Brazilian who grew up in Rio de Janeiro (irishmirror.ie)
- whatCaio is now a Dublin North Inner City candidate for Fianna Fail (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe attack took place on the afternoon of 23 November 2023 (irishmirror.ie)
- courtBouchaker was convicted of the attempted murder of three (irishmirror.ie)
- courtBouchaker was also convicted of intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm to Leanne Flynn (irishmirror.ie)
- courtBouchaker will be sentenced in October (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 16 Jul2026'I saved kids from Parnell Square attacker – what followed made no sense'
Interview with Caio Benicio recounting his intervention and its impact on the immigrant community; confirms Bouchaker's conviction for attempted murder of three and serious harm to Leanne Flynn, with sentencing set for October 2026.
convicted, Riad Bouchaker, 52, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Riad Bouchakervictim, Leanne Flynn, female, irish (judged from name)Leanne Flynnvictim, 5, female