Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 0703Seizing a vehicle by force, assault causing harm · Co. Dublin · 30 Aug 2025

Brian O'Connor convicted of stabbing motorist five times with screwdriver on Dorset Lane, Dublin

Brian O'Connor, 31, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to seizing a vehicle by force and assault causing harm after stabbing a 55-year-old man five times with a screwdriver on Dorset Lane, Dublin, in the early hours of 30 August 2025, then driving off in the victim's car while the injured man was still in the back seat. Judge Orla Crowe adjourned O'Connor's sentencing to November to allow a probation report to be prepared. In a separate case, Riad Bouchaker, a 52-year-old Algerian national, was found guilty by a jury at the Central Criminal Court on 1 July 2026 of three counts of attempted murder, one of assault causing serious harm, three assaults, and one of possessing a knife, after he and a second man attacked three young children, Leanne Flynn, and a teenager outside a school in Parnell Square East, central Dublin, in November 2023. Bouchaker's sentencing is scheduled for 12 October 2026.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Convicted1 Jul
    2 reports
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • O'Connor stabbed a 55-year-old man five times with a screwdriver, four times to the arms and once to the chest, then fled in the victim's car while the injured man was still in the back seat.
  • Bouchaker and a second man attacked three young children, Leanne Flynn, and a teenager outside a school; Bouchaker used a large kitchen knife and the second man carried a Stanley knife and punched the victim twice.
Where
The O'Connor incident occurred on Dorset Lane, Dublin, and the Bouchaker attack took place outside a school in Parnell Square East, central Dublin.
When
The O'Connor incident took place in the early hours of 30 August 2025, and the Bouchaker attack occurred in November 2023.
Weapon
O'Connor used a screwdriver, while Bouchaker used a large kitchen knife and the second man carried a Stanley knife.
Investigation
CCTV was harvested from the area and dashcam footage was obtained from a passing car, and an Arabic interpreter was assigned by the courts service to translate the Bouchaker trial.
Charges
O'Connor pleaded guilty to seizing a vehicle by force and assault causing harm, and Bouchaker was convicted on eight charges including three of attempted murder, one of assault causing serious harm, three assaults, and one of possessing a knife.
In court
O'Connor's case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court before Judge Orla Crowe, and Bouchaker's trial was before Mr Justice Tony Hunt at CCJ Court 19, where a jury of nine men and three women deliberated for more than four hours and 40 minutes.
Sentence
Judge Orla Crowe adjourned O'Connor's sentencing to November to allow a probation report to be prepared, and Bouchaker's sentencing is scheduled for 12 October 2026.
Other details
  • O'Connor, 31, has 167 previous convictions and has been in custody since the date of the offence, and Bouchaker is 52 and an Algerian national.
  • The O'Connor victim had not lost consciousness and there was no need for surgical intervention, and the driver hit a number of cars while leaving the lane and onto the North Circular Road.
24 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatO'Connor stabbed the victim five times with a screwdriver (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe second man punched the victim twice with a closed fist (irishtimes.com)
  • whatO'Connor stabbed the victim four times to the arms and once to the chest (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe victim jumped into the back seat as the car moved off (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe driver hit a number of cars while leaving the lane and onto the North Circular Road (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe victim had not lost consciousness and there was no need for surgical intervention (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe attack took place outside a school in Parnell Square East, central Dublin. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe incident occurred on Dorset Lane in Dublin (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe incident occurred in November 2023. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe incident took place in the early hours of 30 August 2025 (irishtimes.com)
  • weaponHe used a large kitchen knife in the attack. (irishmirror.ie)
  • weaponThe second man was carrying a Stanley knife (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationAn Arabic interpreter was assigned by the courts service to translate the trial for Bouchaker. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationCCTV was harvested from the area and dashcam footage was obtained from a passing car (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeHe was convicted on eight charges: three of attempted murder, one of assault causing serious harm, three assaults, and one of possessing a knife. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtA jury of nine men and three women found Riad Bouchaker guilty. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe jury deliberated for more than four hours and 40 minutes. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe verdict was delivered at 3.46pm. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe trial judge was Mr Justice Tony Hunt. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtSentencing is scheduled for 12 October 2026. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtJudge Orla Crowe adjourned sentencing until November to allow a probation report to be prepared (irishtimes.com)
  • otherRiad Bouchaker is 52 years old and an Algerian national. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherHe was also convicted of attacking Leanne Flynn and two other kids and a teenager. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherO'Connor has 167 previous convictions (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 2 Jul2026
    Convictedirishtimes.com, first report
    Man with 167 previous convictions stabbed motorist five times before fleeing in his car

    Reports the guilty plea, details of the stabbing and car theft, the victim's injuries, and the adjournment of sentencing to November.

    convicted, 31, male, irish (judged from name)victim, 55, malesuspect, male
  2. 1 Jul2026
    Convictedirishmirror.ie, follow-up
    Riad Bouchaker case: What it was like in the courtroom as guilty verdict reached

    Reports the guilty verdict delivered at CCJ Court 19 on 1 July 2026 after more than four hours of jury deliberation, with sentencing set for 12 October 2026.

    convicted, Riad Bouchaker, 52, male, Algerian, named, non-irishRiad Bouchakervictim, Leanne Flynn, irish (judged from name)Leanne Flynnvictimvictimvictimvictimvictim