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. 3927Attempted murder, assault causing serious harm, assault causing harm, production of a knife · Co. Dublin · 23 Nov 2023

Judge to rule on fitness to stand trial for Parnell Square attack accused

An incident is alleged to have occurred at Parnell Square East in Dublin on the afternoon of 23 November 2023, involving seven people. Riad Bouchaker, a 52-year-old man and native of Algeria of no fixed abode, is charged with attempted murder of two girls and one boy, assault causing serious harm to a care worker, three counts of assault causing harm to two other young children and a passerby, and production of a knife. In February 2026 the High Court heard the defence's application to have him found unfit to stand trial, which the DPP opposed, and the psychiatrists disagreed on his fitness. Judge Tony Hunt deferred his ruling and listed it for 27 March 2026.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court3 Feb
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
Where
The offences are alleged to have occurred at Parnell Square East in Dublin.
When
The incident is alleged to have occurred on the afternoon of 23 November 2023.
Charges
  • Bouchaker is charged with the attempted murder of two girls and one boy.
  • Bouchaker is charged with assault causing serious harm to a care worker.
  • Bouchaker is charged with three counts of assault causing harm to two other young children and a passerby who had intervened.
  • Bouchaker is charged with the production of a knife.
Other details
  • Bouchaker is 52, a native of Algeria, of no fixed abode.
  • The defence psychiatrist said Bouchaker has moderate dementia, is unfit to plead, and had a mild cognitive impairment at the time of the alleged offences.
  • The prosecution psychiatrist accepted Bouchaker has a serious brain injury, said he has an acquired brain injury from 2021 neurosurgery and a neurocognitive disorder, and believes he is fit to plead.
Cause
Bouchaker had surgery on his brain for a benign tumour in 2021.
In court
  • The defence applied to have Bouchaker held unfit to stand trial and the DPP opposed the application.
  • No one is arguing for a defence of not guilty by reason of insanity.
  • The court made orders preventing media identification of the medical witnesses or Bouchaker's legal representatives.
  • High Court judge Tony Hunt deferred his ruling on fitness to stand trial and listed it for 27 March 2026.
16 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe offences are alleged to have occurred at Parnell Square East. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe incident occurred on the afternoon of 23 November 2023. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeBouchaker is charged with the attempted murder of two girls and one boy. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeBouchaker is charged with assault causing serious harm to a care worker. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeBouchaker is charged with three counts of assault causing harm to two other young children and a passerby. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeBouchaker is charged with the production of a knife. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtJudge Tony Hunt listed his ruling for 27 March 2026. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe defence applied to have Bouchaker held unfit to stand trial and the DPP opposed. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe court made orders preventing media identification of the medical witnesses or legal representatives for Bouchaker. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherBouchaker is 52, a native of Algeria, of no fixed abode. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherNo one is arguing for the defence of not guilty by reason of insanity. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherBouchaker had surgery on his brain for a benign tumour in 2021. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe defence psychiatrist said Bouchaker has moderate dementia and is unfit to plead. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe defence psychiatrist said at the time of the alleged offences Bouchaker had a mild cognitive impairment. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe prosecution psychiatrist accepted Bouchaker has a serious brain injury but believed he is fit to plead. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe prosecution psychiatrist said Bouchaker has an acquired brain injury secondary to neurosurgery in 2021 and a neurocognitive disorder. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 3 Feb2026
    In courtirishtimes.com, follow-up
    Judge to rule next month if man is fit to stand trial over Parnell Square attack

    Reports on the High Court fitness-to-stand-trial hearing, with the defence psychiatrist arguing Bouchaker has moderate dementia and is unfit to plead, and the prosecution psychiatrist arguing he is fit with accommodations. Judge Hunt deferred his ruling to 27 March 2026.

    accused, Riad Bouchaker, 52, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Riad Bouchakervictim, femalevictim, femalevictim, malevictimvictimvictimvictim