Girl stabbed in Parnell Square attack returns home to own room for first time

Candles and tributes left following a vigil held outside Gaelscoil Cholaiste Mhuire school on Parnell Square, following the attack. Picture: PA

The victim of the Parnell Square stabbing last year has been allowed back to her home to visit for the first time since the attack.

The girl, who was five at the time of the incident last November, has been recovering in Temple Street Children's Hospital in Dublin since then.

A GoFundMe page which was set up at the time to help with her recuperation has reached €96,255 in that period.

On the page, the latest update from the girl's family said that there was a "big step" in an update on Tuesday.

They explained: "We got to bring our baby home for a visit. It was the first time since November that she was in her room. 

"We were able to move to an adapted home, so it was also the first time she saw her new neighbourhood and house. 

It was a big step towards bringing her home for good... a very emotional one. And she did not disappoint. What a warrior!

In the most recent update prior to Tuesday's message, her family had said there had been talk of her being discharged before autumn.

They wrote: "She is able to communicate what she likes, doesn't like, and is in great spirits.

"She has now become more interested in playing with sand, play dough, colouring. She has also been able to work on her maths and spelling.

"We are looking forward to the next chapter."

Two other children who were stabbed have since been released from hospital. Crèche worker Leanne Flynn Keogh, from Dublin, was also seriously injured during the incident.

Riad Bouchaker, 50, was charged on December 21 with the attempted murder of two young girls and a boy.

The incident triggered a wave of unrest in the city, which led to riots, looting and vehicles being set on fire.