Riad Bouchaker Trial Resumes; Northern Ireland Protests Erupt After Stabbing
The trial of Riad Bouchaker for the 2023 Parnell Square stabbings resumed today. Meanwhile, protests erupted in Northern Ireland after a stabbing in north Belfast. Other reports highlight an increase in homeless older people and a decline in Irish children’s academic skills post-pandemic.
The trial of Riad Bouchaker resumed today at the Central Criminal Court. Bouchaker has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges stemming from the 2023 stabbings in Parnell Square, an incident that resulted in injuries to several individuals, including children.
Separately, Northern Ireland experienced scattered protests on Wednesday night following the Monday knife attack on Steven Ogilvie in north Belfast. Approximately 200 people gathered in Newtownabbey, County Antrim, where a street sweeper was set ablaze and objects were thrown at police.
In other news, Independent Senator Tom Clonan informed the Oireachtas Health Committee that his office is currently «inundated» with homeless older people. Concurrently, the latest Children’s School Lives study indicates a decline in Irish children’s reading and mathematics skills since the Covid-19 pandemic.
Furthermore, Irish Rail officials disclosed to an Oireachtas committee their intention to terminate a contract with the company developing a new IT management system, a decision they considered as early as last year.