Inside the court: Riad Bouchaker on trial for Parnell Square attack

Algerian faces charges of attempted murder of three children in Dublin

Listen | 21:52
Candles and tributes left following a vigil held outside Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire on Parnell Square, following an attack in November 2023. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA
Candles and tributes left following a vigil held outside Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire on Parnell Square, following an attack in November 2023. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA

In November 2023, a group of primary schoolchildren were lined up by the railings outside their school in Dublin city centre, ready to be brought to after-school care. As their minder bent down to close the coat of one of the children, a man launched a vicious knife attack on the children.

The alleged assailant was arrested at the scene and the trial of Riad Bouchaker (52), an Algerian native, is under way.

He is charged with attempted murder of two girls and a boy, as well as a further charge of assault causing serious harm to a childcare worker and three charges of assault causing harm. He denies all charges.

Eoin Reynolds reports from the court, where the jury has heard harrowing testimony from the parents of some of the victims, witnesses and those who attempted to stop the knife attack.

Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Declan Conlon.

Bernice Harrison

Bernice Harrison

Bernice Harrison is an Irish Times journalist and cohost of In the News podcast

OUR PODCASTS