Witnesses Describe Parnell Square Knife Attack on Children in Dublin Trial
Witnesses Warren Donohue, Oisín Murphy, and Colin Hernon testified in the trial of Riad Bouchaker, accused of attempting to murder three children on Parnell Square in November 2023. They described seeing Bouchaker stab children with a knife, their own interventions, and the chaotic scene. The defense challenged witness memory against potential CCTV evidence.
Warren Donohue testified at the Central Criminal Court in the trial of Riad Bouchaker, 52, who denies attempting to murder three children and assaulting their childcare worker and three others on November 23, 2023. Donohue recounted hearing a commotion on Parnell Square, seeing a man with a knife trying to cut children, and intervening. He punched the man, stating he "had to be put down," and kicked him to ensure he stayed down. Other individuals, including a cyclist, also intervened.
Cyclist Oisín Murphy described seeing Bouchaker take out a large knife and stab a small child multiple times in the chest and neck. He then saw the man attack a second child. Murphy used his bike lock to hit Bouchaker on the head as two men grappled with him. After the man was brought down, Murphy checked on the first child, who was in a pool of blood. He also noted that the woman pulling the child away realized she had been stabbed.
During cross-examination, Bouchaker’s defense counsel suggested Murphy’s memory was impaired and contradicted CCTV footage regarding his position and the stabbing motion. Murphy became upset at the mention of CCTV, stating he recalled what he saw and apologized if inaccurate. Colin Hernon, driving with his family, also witnessed the attack, seeing a man crouch and stab a child with a substantial kitchen knife. He denied his memory was influenced by his wife’s testimony, insisting the attack was ongoing when he observed it.