Ireland Case No. 6485Attempted murder · Co. Dublin · 23 Nov 2023
Parnell Square stabbing accused sent forward for trial
On 23 November 2023 a knife attack took place outside Gaelscoil Coláiste Mhuire on Parnell Square East in Dublin city centre, seriously injuring a five-year-old girl, with two other children and crèche worker Leanne Flynn Keogh also hurt. Riad Bouchaker, a 50-year-old man of no fixed abode, was arrested at Mountjoy Garda station and charged on 21 December 2023, and was remanded in custody. On 25 January 2024 at Cloverhill District Court the book of evidence was not ready, and he was remanded in continuing custody for four weeks. On 22 February 2024 the book of evidence was completed, the DPP directed trial on indictment on eight charges, and he was sent forward for trial to the Central Criminal Court, with no plea yet entered.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court7 Jan
11 reports - Verdict
- Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- A five-year-old girl was seriously injured in a knife attack.
- Crèche worker Leanne Flynn Keogh was also seriously injured, and two other children were injured in the incident.
- The care worker was stabbed several times after using her body to shield the children, and was placed in an induced coma at the Mater Hospital.
- Where
- The attack took place outside Gaelscoil Coláiste Mhuire on Parnell Square East in Dublin city centre.
- When
- The attack happened on the afternoon of 23 November 2023.
- Weapon
- The knife involved was a 36cm kitchen knife.
- Investigation
- Gardaí took more than 200 statements, and the State solicitor described the file as large and complex.
- Riad Bouchaker was arrested at Mountjoy Garda station at 12.51pm on 21 December.
- Charges
- Riad Bouchaker, 50, of no fixed abode, was charged on 21 December 2023 and held in custody after a brief hearing.
- He is charged with three counts of attempted murder, with sources describing the victims as three children, or as two girls and a boy.
- He is also charged with producing and possessing a 36cm kitchen knife, three counts of assault causing harm, and one count of assault causing serious harm to a care worker.
- Reports also say he was charged with assaulting a man at the scene.
- In court
- At Cloverhill District Court on 25 January 2024, the book of evidence was not ready, its time was extended, and he was remanded in continuing custody for four weeks.
- On 22 February 2024 the book of evidence was completed, the DPP directed trial on indictment on eight charges, and he was sent forward to the Central Criminal Court.
- He has not yet indicated a plea, and legal aid was granted including senior counsel and translation of the book of evidence into Arabic.
128 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA girl was seriously injured in a stabbing. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatTwo other children and a creche worker, Leanne Flynn Keogh, were also injured. (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
- whatThe victim is a five-year-old girl who was left fighting for her life. (dublinlive.ie)
- whatThe care worker who was stabbed outside a Gaelscoil in Dublin city centre has been discharged from hospital. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe care worker used her body as a shield to protect the children and tried to disarm the attacker. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe care worker sustained multiple stab wounds and was taken to the Mater hospital, where she was placed in an induced coma. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThree children in the group were injured in the attack at Coláiste Mhuire. (irishtimes.com)
- whatLeanne Flynn Keogh and three children were injured in the attack. (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
- whatA girl aged five was left in a serious condition after a stabbing at Parnell Square. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatTwo other children were released from hospital. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatCrèche worker Leanne Flynn Keogh was also seriously injured during the incident. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatRiad Bouchaker was charged with the attempted murder of two girls and a boy in a knife attack on Parnell Square. (irishtimes.com)
- whatA girl aged five was seriously injured in the attack. (irishtimes.com)
- whatA crèche worker was seriously injured. (irishtimes.com)
- whatA five-year-old girl was injured in a stabbing incident. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatA man was charged with attempted murder of two young girls and a boy in a knife attack. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe attack took place outside Coláiste Mhuire on Parnell Square East in Dublin. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe stabbing happened outside Gaelscoil Cholaiste Mhuire on Parnell Square East in Dublin. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe attack happened outside Gaelscoil Cholaiste Mhuire on Parnell Square East. (dublinlive.ie)
- whereThe attack happened on Parnell Square East. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe attack took place at Gaelscoil Cholaiste Mhuire on Parnell Square East. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe attack took place at Gaelscoil Cholaiste Mhuire on Parnell Square East in Dublin. (dublinlive.ie)
- whereThe incident happened outside a school in the north inner city. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe knife attack took place on Parnell Square in Dublin. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe attack took place at Parnell Square in Dublin city centre. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe attack happened on the afternoon of November 23rd. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe incident happened on 23 November 2023. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe girl was seriously injured on 23 November 2023. (dublinlive.ie)
- whenThe attack happened on November 23rd. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe attack took place on November 23. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe attack happened on November 23. (dublinlive.ie)
- whenThe stabbing happened on the afternoon of 23 November 2023. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe knife attack took place on November 23rd. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe incident occurred on 23 November 2023. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe stabbing happened on the afternoon of November 23, 2023. (irishmirror.ie)
- weaponThe charges include producing and possessing a 36cm kitchen knife. (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
- weaponThe attacker was wielding a knife. (irishtimes.com)
- weaponRiad Bouchaker is charged with producing and possessing a 36cm kitchen knife. (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
- weaponOne charge concerns the production of a 36-centimetre kitchen knife. (irishmirror.ie)
- weaponThe weapon was a 36cm kitchen knife. (irishmirror.ie)
- weaponA 36cm kitchen knife was produced. (irishtimes.com)
- weaponOne charge concerned producing a 36-centimetre kitchen knife. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí arrested Riad Bouchaker at Mountjoy Garda station at 12.51pm on December 21st. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí have taken more than 200 statements in the case. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationA State solicitor said the file was large, with over 200 statements. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe book of evidence contained over 200 statements. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeRiad Bouchaker has been charged with the attempted murder of three children. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeRiad Bouchaker has been charged with causing serious harm to a care worker on Parnell Square. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeRiad Bouchaker was further charged with assaulting a French man at the scene. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeRiad Bouchaker was further charged with assault causing harm to three children. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeRiad Bouchaker is charged with three counts of attempted murder, one of producing and possessing a knife, three counts of assault causing harm, and one of assault causing serious harm. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeRiad Bouchaker is charged with three counts of attempted murder, one count of producing and possessing a knife, three counts of assault causing harm, and one count of assault causing serious harm. (dublinlive.ie)
- chargeA 50-year-old man was charged with the attempted murder of three children and with causing serious harm to the woman. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeRiad Bouchaker was charged with possession and production of a 36cm kitchen knife. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeRiad Bouchaker is charged with three counts of attempted murder. (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
- chargeRiad Bouchaker also faces assault charges. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeRiad Bouchaker is charged with three counts of assault causing harm and one of assault causing serious harm. (dublinlive.ie)
- chargeRiad Bouchaker is charged with the attempted murder of two young girls and a boy. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeRiad Bouchaker was charged on 21 December and held in custody after a brief hearing. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeThe Director of Public Prosecutions has directed a trial on indictment before the Central Criminal Court. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeBouchaker was charged with three counts of attempted murder on December 21st. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeHe was further charged with causing serious harm to a care worker, assault of a man at the scene, and assault causing harm to three children. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeHe was charged with possession and production of a weapon, a 36cm kitchen knife. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeRiad Bouchaker has been charged with attempted murder of the three children and assault causing serious harm to the woman. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeRiad Bouchaker is also charged with three counts of assault causing harm and possession or production of a knife. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeThe accused was charged with the attempted murder of three children. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeThe accused was charged on 21 December 2023 and remanded in custody. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeThe accused was charged with assault causing harm to a boy and a girl. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeThe accused was charged with causing serious harm to a care worker. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeThe DPP directed trial on indictment on eight charges in the book of evidence. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeThe accused was charged on December 21 and held in custody after a brief hearing. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeThe DPP directed trial on indictment on eight charges. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtRiad Bouchaker made no reply to the first charge of attempted murder. (irishtimes.com)
- courtRiad Bouchaker is in custody and will next appear at Cloverhill District Court on 25 January. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtRiad Bouchaker is in custody and will next appear at Cloverhill District Court on January 25. (dublinlive.ie)
- courtRiad Bouchaker remains in custody and is to stand trial before a judge and jury. (irishtimes.com)
- courtRiad Bouchaker will next appear at Cloverhill District Court. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtRiad Bouchaker is in custody and will next appear at Cloverhill District Court on Wednesday. (dublinlive.ie)
- courtBouchaker appeared before Cloverhill District Court by video link. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe book of evidence was not ready and the court extended the time for it because of the complexity of the file. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe case was put back for four weeks and the accused was remanded in continuing custody. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe accused appeared by video link before Cloverhill District Court on Thursday. (irishtimes.com)
- courtJudge Alan Mitchell asked why the book of evidence was not ready. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe judge described the file as complex and said some material could be served later. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe case was put back for four weeks and Bouchaker was remanded in continuing custody. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe Director of Public Prosecutions has directed a trial on indictment. (irishtimes.com)
- courtA man has appeared in court charged in connection with the stabbings. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe accused appeared before Cloverhill District Court on a Thursday, where the State solicitor said the book of evidence had been completed. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe judge granted a return for trial order, sending the case to the Central Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- courtLegal aid was granted to include senior counsel and translation of the book of evidence into Arabic. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe accused has not yet indicated a plea. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- courtLegal aid was granted, including senior counsel, and the book of evidence was to be translated into Arabic. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThree children were injured in the attack. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe five-year-old girl was in a critical condition in Temple St Hospital for weeks. (irishtimes.com)
- otherA woman in her 30s caring for the children was stabbed several times after using her body as a shield. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe girl's mother said she had moved to the third phase of recovery. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe attack sparked a far-right gathering in central Dublin, followed by riots in the city centre and looting of several shops. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe girl is still receiving treatment. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe girl has done well in her recovery, and the medical team is very happy with her improvement. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherA GoFundMe page had raised more than €60,000 for the child and her family. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe girl has entered the third phase of her recovery, which her mother says will be the longest. (dublinlive.ie)
- otherThe girl has done well so far, and the medical team is very happy with her improvement. (dublinlive.ie)
- otherA GoFundMe page had raised more than €60,000 for the child and her family as of Sunday afternoon. (dublinlive.ie)
- otherThe care worker spent more than a week in intensive care. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe care worker was discharged shortly before Christmas. (irishtimes.com)
- otherA boy and a girl were discharged from hospital later in November. (irishtimes.com)
- otherA five-year-old girl wounded in the incident left intensive care shortly before Christmas. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe incident prompted a night of rioting in Dublin city centre. (irishtimes.com)
- otherA GoFundMe page for victims was closed after raising €268,254 of a €500,000 target. (irishtimes.com)
- otherLeanne Flynn Keogh left the Mater Hospital just before Christmas. (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
- otherA five-year-old girl injured in the attack was still in hospital. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe incident led to rioting in the city for several hours. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherRiad Bouchaker is in custody. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherLeanne Flynn Keogh spent a week in intensive care after the attack. (dublinlive.ie)
- otherA five-year-old girl injured in the attack is still in hospital. (dublinlive.ie)
- otherThe incident led to rioting for several hours in the city. (dublinlive.ie)
- otherThe District Court cannot consider bail in an attempted murder case, which requires a High Court application. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherMandatory reporting restrictions apply to the injured children, who cannot be identified. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherTwo other children were treated and released from hospital. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe stabbing triggered unrest in the city, including riots, looting and vehicles being set on fire. (irishtimes.com)
- otherTwo other young children and a female care worker were also injured. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe girl is back in intensive care after a setback. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe stabbing sparked riots in Dublin city centre. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherA young girl was left in a serious condition after the incident. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe incident sparked a riot in the north inner city. (irishtimes.com)
- otherTwo other children and a creche worker were injured in the incident. (irishtimes.com)
- otherA five-year-old girl was left in a serious condition. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherA crèche worker was seriously injured during the incident. (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 22 Feb2024Man charged with attempted murder of three children to face trial
Article reports the book of evidence was served, a return for trial order was made sending the case to the Central Criminal Court, and the accused has not yet indicated a plea. Includes the 36-centimetre kitchen knife charge and the bail position.
accused, Riad Bouchaker, 50, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Riad Bouchakervictim, 5, femalevictim, malevictim, femalevictim, Leanne Flynn Keogh, irish (judged from name)Leanne Flynn Keoghvictim, French, non-irish - 22 Feb2024Parnell Square stabbing accused sent forward for trial to Central Criminal Court
Reports that the book of evidence is complete, the DPP has directed trial on indictment on eight charges, and the accused has been sent forward to the Central Criminal Court. Adds the list of charges, the legal aid grant and that no plea has been entered.
accused, Riad Bouchaker, 50, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Riad Bouchakervictim, femalevictim, malevictimvictim, French, non-irish - 30 Jan2024Little girl injured in Parnell Square stab attack back in ICU after 'setback'
Update on the injured five-year-old's condition, reported on 30 January 2024 from her mother's GoFundMe post. Confirms the girl is back in ICU after a setback. Restates the charges against Riad Bouchaker.
victim, 5, femalevictimvictim, femaleaccused, Riad Bouchaker, 50, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Riad Bouchaker - 25 Jan2024Over 200 statements taken in ‘complex’ Parnell Square stabbing investigation
Published 25 January 2024, earlier than the existing case entry. Adds that over 200 statements have been taken, that the book of evidence was not ready, that Bouchaker was remanded in continuing custody, and that the DPP has directed trial on indictment to the Central Criminal Court.
accused, Riad Bouchaker, 50, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Riad Bouchakervictim, 5, femalevictim - 25 Jan2024Parnell Square attack: 200 plus statements in Riad Bouchaker's case, court told
Adds that gardaí have taken more than 200 statements, that the book of evidence was not ready and its time was extended, that Bouchaker was remanded in continuing custody for four weeks, and that the court heard the case is complex. Also gives his age and the 36-centimetre kitchen knife charge.
accused, Riad Bouchaker, 50, male, namedRiad Bouchakervictim, 5, femalevictim, Leanne Flynn Keogh, irish (judged from name)Leanne Flynn Keoghvictim, French, non-irish - 22 Jan2024Parnell Square attack hero Leanne Flynn Keogh is out of hospital
Reports that Leanne Flynn Keogh was discharged from the Mater Hospital before Christmas, and gives the charges against Riad Bouchaker and his next court date at Cloverhill District Court.
victim, Leanne Flynn Keogh, irish (judged from name)Leanne Flynn Keoghaccused, Riad Bouchaker, 50, named, non-irish (judged from name)Riad Bouchaker - 22 Jan2024Dublin creche attack hero Leanne Flynn Keogh is out of hospital
Reports that Leanne Flynn Keogh left hospital just before Christmas, gives the charges against Riad Bouchaker, his custody status and next court date, and notes the attack caused rioting in the city. Also gives an update on a five-year-old girl still in hospital.
victim, Leanne Flynn Keogh, female, irish (judged from name)Leanne Flynn Keoghvictim, 5, femalevictimvictimaccused, Riad Bouchaker, 50, male, namedRiad Bouchaker - 22 Jan2024Care worker injured in Parnell Square stabbing discharged from hospital
Reports the care worker's discharge and recovery, the children's injuries, the riot that followed, the charges against Riad Bouchaker, his custody status, and GoFundMe totals.
victim, femaleaccused, Riad Bouchaker, 50, male, namedRiad Bouchaker - 7 Jan2024Girl injured in Dublin stabbing will have to 'relearn everything' says mum
Gives the mother's update on the girl's recovery and a GoFundMe total of over €60,000. Confirms the charges against Riad Bouchaker and his next court date at Cloverhill District Court on January 25.
victim, 5, femalevictimvictim, Leanne Flynn Keogh, irish (judged from name)Leanne Flynn Keoghaccused, Riad Bouchaker, male, namedRiad Bouchaker - 7 Jan2024Girl injured in Dublin school stabbing will have to 'relearn everything'
Adds the victim's family update that she is still in treatment and has done well, the GoFundMe total, the full list of charges against Riad Bouchaker, and his next court date at Cloverhill District Court on 25 January.
victim, 5, femalevictimvictimvictim, Leanne Flynn Keogh, irish (judged from name)Leanne Flynn Keoghaccused, Riad Bouchaker, male, namedRiad Bouchaker - 7 Jan2024Girl (5) stabbed in Parnell Square attack ‘must relearn everything’, says mother
Update on the victims' condition from the girl's mother, and a summary of the charges put to Riad Bouchaker at a court hearing, including the Garda arrest details.
victim, 5, femalevictim, 30s, femalevictim, male, French, non-irishaccused, Riad Bouchaker, 50, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Riad Bouchaker