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. 1591Attempted murder, assault causing serious harm, possession or production of a knife · Co. Dublin · 23 Nov 2023

Parnell Square attack trial must be given priority, judge insists

Mr Justice Paul McDermott at the Central Criminal Court said the trial of Riad Bouchaker, 50, charged with attempting to murder three children and assaulting a care worker at Parnell Square in November 2023, must be given priority due to the youth of the victims. The hearing was adjourned to June while a psychiatric report on Bouchaker is completed.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court28 May
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
14 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatRiad Bouchaker is charged with assaulting a care worker and attempting to murder three children at Parnell Square in Dublin. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe incident occurred at Parnell Square on the afternoon of November 23, 2023. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationLawyers for Bouchaker told the court they are still waiting for a psychiatrist's report. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationA psychiatrist assessing Bouchaker asked for a report from a neuropsychologist, which has been given to the psychiatrist. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe psychiatrist indicated she will complete her report within three weeks. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeBouchaker is charged with the attempted murder of two girls and one boy. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeBouchaker is charged with assault causing serious harm to a care worker. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeBouchaker is charged with possession or production of a knife. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe judge said the trial must be given priority due to the youth of some of the alleged victims. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtMr Justice McDermott said the case must be given priority as soon as the psychiatric issue is resolved and asked everyone involved to strain themselves to ensure it gets on as quickly as possible. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe matter will be mentioned again in June. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherBouchaker is of no fixed abode. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherIn February 2025, the Department of Justice and the courts announced a protocol to fast-track trials involving children. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe courts committed to completing the trial process within one year where possible if a child is the alleged victim or perpetrator. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 28 May2025
    In courtirishmirror.ie, first report
    Parnell Square attack trial must be given priority, judge insists

    Pre-trial hearing at the Central Criminal Court where the judge directed that the trial be prioritised due to the children's ages. The defence is awaiting a psychiatric report; the matter will be mentioned again in June.

    accused, Riad Bouchaker, 50, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Riad Bouchakervictim, femalevictim, femalevictim, malevictim