A Central Criminal Court jury in Dublin has found 52-year-old Riad Bouchaker guilty on all counts, including the attempted murder of three young children during a horrific knife attack on Parnell Square East in November 2023. The Algerian-born Irish citizen, who had denied all eight charges against him, was convicted following a three-week trial where prosecutors demonstrated that he intentionally targeted the smallest children with a 36cm kitchen knife. Among the victims, a five-year-old girl suffered a catastrophic stab wound to the heart that caused severe blood loss and life-altering brain damage, leaving her non-verbal and reliant on a wheelchair. Bouchaker was also convicted of the attempted murder of a five-year-old boy and a six-year-old girl, alongside additional counts of assault causing harm to two other minors and a passing French teenager who bravely intervened.

The jury of nine men and three women also found Bouchaker guilty of intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm to school care worker Leanne Flynn, who was stabbed while heroically stepping in to shield the youngsters from the blade. During the trial, the prosecution presented evidence showing that Bouchaker had systematically sought out a school and waited for an optimal moment when adults were scarce to launch his assault. Evidence revealed he was fueled by resentment over a negative social welfare decision, which he claimed made him feel rejected by the country. The original stabbing incident in late 2023 had sent shockwaves across Ireland and triggered the largest deployment of public order police in the state's history to quell severe rioting in the capital. Following the unanimous verdicts, Mr Justice Tony Hunt scheduled a formal sentencing hearing for October 12, 2026, during which deeply anticipated victim impact statements will be delivered to the court.