Court Told Man Accused Of Knife Attack On Children Outside Dublin School Unfit To Stand Trial

Thursday, 18 December 2025 16:19

By Martin Osborne - Head Of News

The court heard that four children were stabbed, one suffering life-altering injuries, and that both a creche worker and a passer-by were injured while trying to protect them.

An expert witness called on behalf of a man accused of carrying out a knife attack on children at Parnell Square in Dublin has told the Central Criminal Court he is unfit to stand trial.

Riad Bouchaker, who has no fixed address, faces three counts of attempted murder relating to young children, as well as charges of assault causing harm.

It is alleged that Riad Bouchaker attacked a group of children outside a school on November 3rd, 2023.

The court heard that four children were stabbed, one suffering life-altering injuries, and that both a creche worker and a passer-by were injured while trying to protect them.

It’s alleged the accused was subdued by members of the public before being taken to hospital, where he remained for almost a month.

A consultant forensic psychologist, giving evidence for the defence, told the court Mr Bouchaker suffers from a moderate mental disorder amounting to dementia, arising from a benign brain tumour, multiple brain injuries and epilepsy.

She said he is unable to understand the nature of the proceedings, instruct lawyers or properly defend himself, and is therefore unfit to stand trial.

The judge, who will have to decide on his fitness to plead, was told there is a divergence of medical opinion between the prosecution and defence.