Riad Bouchaker found guilty of attempted murder of three children in Dublin
The man behind the shocking knife attack that horrified Ireland has been found guilty of attempting to murder three young children outside a Dublin school.
Riad Bouchaker was convicted on all eight charges following a three-week trial at the Central Criminal Court.
A jury unanimously found him guilty of the attempted murder of two girls and a boy, as well as seriously injuring childcare worker Leanne Flynn during the terrifying attack on Parnell Square East on November 23, 2023.
Gardaí and emergency services at the scene at Parnell Square on November 23, 2023. Pic: Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews.ie
The assault sent shockwaves across the country and was followed by violent riots in Dublin city centre with vehicles set on fire, shops looted, and buildings damaged.
The disorder, which began the evening of the attack after a crowd gathered at the edge of the crime scene in Parnell Square East, made international headlines.
Bouchaker, 52, of no fixed abode, spoke to his interpreter and a speech and language support worker after the verdicts were read out at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin.
The scene at Parnell Square on November 23, 2023. Pic: Tom Honan
The Algerian national, who is an Irish citizen, was found guilty of the attempted murder of a then-five-year-old girl, who was stabbed in the heart during the attack and is now non-verbal, uses a wheelchair, and cannot swallow safely.
He was also found guilty of the attempted murder of a five-year-old boy and a six-year-old girl.
He was further convicted of intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm to the children’s care worker, Leanne Flynn, whom he stabbed as she intervened to protect the children.
Curated Selection, Far Right Riot, Black Thursday Dublin, Leinster, Ireland. 23/11/2023.Dublin,Ireland. Pictured a bus on fire as rioting and looting which takes place in the Capital of Dublin (23/11/2023). Photo: Sam Boal/Rollingnews.ie
Bouchaker was also found guilty of assault causing harm to another boy and girl, as well as to a French teenager who intervened as he passed by, and of the production of the 36cm kitchen knife.
He had denied all eight charges.
During the trial, jurors heard that Bouchaker had become distressed after failing to obtain social welfare payments
After deliberating for around five hours over two days, the jury returned unanimous guilty verdicts on every count.
Mr Justice Tony Hunt is expected to fix a date for Bouchaker’s sentencing, when he will learn how long he will spend behind bars.
