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Man denies attempted murder of three children at Dublin's Parnell Square
🇮🇪 Ireland /Crime & Justice

Man denies attempted murder of three children at Dublin's Parnell Square

From Irish Times · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified In the courts
  • A man, Riad Bouchaker, has pleaded not guilty to charges of attempted murder of three children and other offenses related to an incident at Dublin's Parnell Square in November 2023.
  • Bouchaker, 52, also denied charges including assault causing harm to other children, a passerby, and a care worker, as well as producing a kitchen knife.
  • The trial is expected to last approximately five weeks, with the judge emphasizing the need for an open-minded and objective jury due to potential pre-trial publicity and Bouchaker's medical history.

Riad Bouchaker, 52, has denied charges of attempted murder against three children during an incident at Dublin's Parnell Square in November 2023. Appearing at the Central Criminal Court, Bouchaker, who is of Algerian origin and has no fixed abode, pleaded not guilty to the attempted murder of two girls and one boy at Parnell Square East on November 23, 2023.

He said no person should serve on the jury if they had any knowledge of the events at issue or felt they could not abide by their oath to deliver a true verdict in accordance with the evidence.

— Judge Tony HuntThe judge addresses the jury panel regarding impartiality.

Further charges against Bouchaker include assault causing harm to two other children, a passerby who intervened, and a care worker. He also denied a charge of producing a 36cm kitchen knife during the course of a dispute, in a manner likely to unlawfully intimidate another person.

A jury of nine men and three women has been empanelled for the trial, which is scheduled to open on Wednesday before Judge Tony Hunt. The judge estimated the trial would last about five weeks. He stressed the importance of jury members being open-minded and objective, asking them to consider if any prior knowledge of the events would prevent them from delivering a true verdict based solely on the evidence.

Bouchaker has the same fundamental right as any accused to a fair trial and a true verdict in accordance with the evidence.

— Judge Tony HuntThe judge emphasizes the defendant's right to a fair trial.

Judge Hunt noted that Bouchaker had a history of medical issues, including a benign tumor requiring surgery in 2021. He also sustained a head injury during the incident on November 23, 2023, which led to hospitalization and subsequent treatment. Due to this injury, combined with his pre-existing condition, Bouchaker has an acquired brain injury affecting his attention and concentration, which is a factor in the trial's extended duration. Accommodations, including an interpreter and intermediary, will be provided, requiring the jury to exercise "more than ordinary patience."

That would require the jury to have 'more than ordinary patience' and the court sessions may be shorter than in other trials.

— Judge Tony HuntThe judge explains the accommodations needed for the defendant during the trial.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Irish Times in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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