Riad Bouchaker, 52, is sentenced for attempting to murder three children and assaulting six others during a 2023 school‑yard attack in Dublin’s Parnell Square.
The Central Criminal Court heard that a five‑year‑old girl received a life‑long brain injury after Bouchaker stabbed her in the heart. He was convicted on all eight charges, including serious assault of a crèche worker, two other children and a teenager.
The jury deliberated for about six hours, reaching a verdict in the afternoon after the trial. Judge Tony Hunt thanked the jury for their ``hard work'' and said the verdict was ``entirely in line with the evidence.''
Bouchaker will be remanded in custody until sentencing on 12 October. He remains in jail with no fixed address.
Within hours of the attack, civil unrest erupted across large parts of Dublin. 11 police vehicles were destroyed, 13 shops damaged or looted, and three buses and a tram were burned. The incident triggered the deployment of the largest police force in Irish history, leading to sustained clashes that left several officers injured.
Police chief Drew Harris blamed the rioters on a far‑right “hooligan faction.” He said the response was necessary to restore order and protect public safety. Community groups called for stronger protection of schools and children, while politicians pledged to review security measures in Dublin’s public spaces.
