Riad Bouchaker Denies Attempted Murder of 3 Children, Cites "Blackout" Over Welfare Refusal

Riad Bouchaker, 52, an Algerian national, denies attempting to murder two girls and a boy on Parnell Square East, Dublin, on November 23, 2023. He also denies assault charges related to two other children, a passerby, and childcare worker Leanne Flynn, as well as producing a 36cm kitchen knife.

During Garda interviews, Bouchaker claimed a social welfare benefit refusal that day "made me go into blackout" and he "never intended to kill anybody." He stated he was "not conscious" and "not in my right mind," acknowledging the children's parents would be hurt but insisting he would never act that way consciously. When shown CCTV, he agreed it was him, calling it "the action of someone who’s mental," and expressed relief that "they’re all alive."

The prosecution argues Bouchaker's actions showed intent to kill, noting a five-year-old girl suffered severe brain injuries and is now non-verbal and uses a wheelchair. Bouchaker, who had a head operation in 2021 and sustained a head injury during the incident, now has an acquired brain injury. He told gardaí he felt his mind was "squeezed, smashed" and that he was upset by the welfare decision, feeling "this country is telling me to leave."

The trial, now on its 10th day, continues. Bouchaker was found fit to plead by Judge Tony Hunt prior to the trial.