Riad Bouchaker found guilty of attempted murder of three children in Dublin

A 52-year-old man has been found guilty of eight charges in relation to the stabbing attack that occurred on Parnell Square in Dublin three years ago.

As well as the attempted murder of three children, Riad Bouchaker was also found guilty of stabbing and causing life-changing injuries to childcare worker Leanne Flynn while she tried to protect the children. Along with assaulting two further children and a teenager.

After weeks of hearing evidence, the court found that the most seriously injured child in the attacks was left with a life-long brain injury after Bouchaker stabbed her in the heart.

The court heard evidence that Bouchaker was angry after failing to get social welfare payments, and went to his hostel in Dublin City Centre, grabbed a carving knife and walked to Parnell Square. He then asked multiple people about the location of a school.

Bouchaker waited nearby for around an hour before seeing the primary school students lining up as they were to be taken to an after school creche. Upon noticing that Leanne Flynn was the only adult nearby, and as she crouched down to zip up the jacket of one child, he began attacking the children, stabbing Ms Flynn in the back as she pulled him away.

The jury spent around five hours considering their verdicts, and were unanimous in relation to each count.

Mr Justice Tony Hunt is to set a date for the sentencing hearing this afternoon. More to follow…