'The monster that haunts her nightmares': Mother hits out at Parnell Square child attacker

Court artist sketch of Riad Bouchaker appearing in the dock at the Criminal Courts Of Justice in Dublin, during his sentence hearing. Picture: Carol Bisso Munante/PA

The mother of a child who suffered a gash in her head after being stabbed in the Parnell Square attack three years ago has described Riad Bouchaker as “the monster” who haunts her daughter’s nightmares.

Parents of some of the children injured during the attack have delivered victim impact statements outlining the ongoing psychological struggles they endure. 

The mother of a girl who suffered severe brain injury due to blood loss after Bouchaker stabbed her in the heart, wrote that her daughter will need care for the rest of her life.

She said her daughter went from being a five-year-old who could dress herself, run, jump, climb, play, eat, and make decisions to being unable to talk, walk, or swallow more than a tiny piece of food. 

She takes medication four times a day and suffers muscle spasms and chronic pain and needs a tablet to sleep. She said she and her husband worry about who will look after their daughter when they are gone.

The mother of the girl, who suffered an 8cm scalp wound, said she watched CCTV footage of the attack and saw the children smiling, laughing, and joking moments before Bouchaker launched his attack. 

She told the court: “This monster stole that innocence from them. That is what he is, the monster that haunts her nightmares.” 

Leanne Flynn, a creche worker who suffered a stab wound in her back when she tried to pull Bouchaker away from the children, said she hates being called a hero.

She said she should not have had to do what she did and, turning to look at Bouchaker, she said: “I hope whatever god you believe in doesn’t forgive you, because harming innocent children is simply unforgivable.” 

Bouchaker, aged 52, of no fixed address, had denied the attempted murder of two girls and one boy, and assault causing serious harm to Ms Flynn, at Parnell Square East in Dublin City on November 23, 2023.

He also denied assaulting two other children and then-teenager Alan Loren-Guille and producing a knife in a manner likely to intimidate. 

A jury convicted him on all charges following a three-week trial that ended in July of this year.