Riad Bouchaker Accused of Targeting Smallest Children in November 2023 Dublin Knife Attack

Riad Bouchaker is accused of targeting the smallest children and waiting for opportunities with few adults present before attacking them with a knife at Dublin's Parnell Square in November 2023. The Central Criminal Court heard Bouchaker told gardaí he was a «sick person in this incident» after being confronted about one child sustaining life-changing injuries. He faces three attempted murder charges and denies assaulting four others: a childcare worker, two children, and a teenager who intervened.

During his final interview on December 21, Bouchaker was shown CCTV. Garda Gary Moran highlighted Bouchaker's two-and-a-half-minute wait near a primary school where children played, and his subsequent request for directions to the school. Bouchaker responded that it looked like he was «about to do something» but was unsure, repeatedly stating he was sick. He was also shown footage on Parnell Square East, putting his hands into a bag from which he later pulled a knife, again saying he was «about to do something.» He claimed no one cared about him and thanked God no murder occurred.

Garda Moran accused Bouchaker of dropping a pin for the school's location and living nearby earlier, suggesting he initially considered attacking older children but deemed it too risky due to their age, height, and adult accompaniment, demonstrating rational thought. Bouchaker, whose Arabic answers were translated, maintained he was not in his right mind and was sick. Gardaí argued he planned the attack, waiting 37 minutes before targeting younger children, showing restraint and patience.

Upon viewing attack footage, Bouchaker called it a «mistake,» claiming «they fell on me and I had no idea.» He repeatedly thanked God no one died, despite Moran informing him children were «not ok» and one had a neck cut, another a head stab. Moran credited childcare worker Leanne Flynn for intervening, stating Bouchaker stabbed her to reach the children. Bouchaker claimed his mind «flew away.» When shown a photo of a five-year-old girl stabbed in the heart, clinically dead before revival, he said he «had no idea.» The translator noted Bouchaker's responses were incoherent.

Bouchaker stated he was a believer and would not harm anyone, attributing the act to an unstable man. Gardaí presented the knife with his DNA and the girl's blood. He reiterated, «importantly, I’m a sick person in this incident.» Moran asserted Bouchaker found the school, asked about dismissal times, and deliberately chose the smallest children, stabbing an intervener to continue the attack, proving he was in his «full mind.» Bouchaker denied this, claiming he was not in his body or right mind and did not know what he was doing. He repeated he was sick and that there were no fatalities. The interview ended when the translator felt faint. Bouchaker was charged with three counts of attempted murder, one count of assault causing serious harm, three counts of assault, and one count of producing a 36cm knife. He replied «I am a sick person» to one attempted murder charge.