Court rules Riad Bouchaker fit to stand trial following medical assessments
A trial date has been set for a man accused of the attempted murder of three children during a knife attack in Dublin more than two years ago.
The Central Criminal Court has ruled that 52-year-old Riad Bouchaker, who has no fixed abode, is fit to enter a plea and stand trial.
He is charged in connection with an incident at Parnell Square on November 23rd, 2023, during which he allegedly attempted to murder three children.
The accused also faces a number of additional charges, including assault causing serious harm to a care worker, three further counts of assault involving two other children and a passerby, and one count of producing a knife.
The court heard that Mr Bouchaker suffered a brain injury after being restrained by members of the public at the scene. His legal team also cited a pre-existing medical condition that required brain surgery in 2021 as part of their argument that he was unfit to stand trial.
However, an expert witness for the prosecution agreed that Mr Bouchaker is experiencing a neurocognitive disorder but said the defence assessment overstated its severity.
The judge ruled that, with appropriate supports and accommodations in place, Mr Bouchaker is currently fit to stand trial. The court noted that his condition will remain under ongoing review.
The trial is due to begin on June 8th.
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