Riad Bouchaker, who faces charges of assaulting a care worker and attempting to murder three children at Parnell Square in Dublin just over two years ago, is fit to enter a plea and stand trial, a State consultant forensic psychiatrist has told the Central Criminal Court, reports Breaking News.
The expert told Mr Justice Tony Hunt that although the accused has a serious neurocognitive disorder, he is satisfied Mr Bouchaker can be supported during a trial, with measures such as repeating questions, simplifying them or using closed questions, reports Breaking News.
The prosecution psychiatrist said he is confident the accused understands the gravity of the charges against him, recognises the different pleas available and is able to properly defend himself.
The court is assessing whether Mr Bouchaker, who is 51 and has no fixed address, is fit to stand trial. The hearing was told before Christmas that there is “a divergence” between the views of psychiatrists for the defence and the State on this matter, reports Breaking News.
Last month, defence lawyers argued their client was suffering from a mental disorder, namely moderate dementia, and was therefore not fit to face trial.
The court heard CCTV footage appears to show an attack on a line of children who were about to enter their creche. Prosecuting counsel Karl Finnegan said that when the creche manager realised what was happening, she shouted and tried to protect the children but was stabbed, reports Breaking News.
Mr Finnegan said four children were stabbed that day, with one sustaining life-altering injuries. He told the court the scene was “one of chaos” and that emergency services were called.
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The court has also heard the accused has a complex medical history. He underwent surgery for a benign brain tumour in 2021 and later had part of his skull removed due to infection. It was also heard that he suffered a brain injury on the day of the alleged offence in November 2023 when members of the public intervened, reports Breaking News.
A consultant psychiatrist for the defence told the court she did not believe Mr Bouchaker was fit to stand trial, saying he could not understand or properly weigh up the plea options available and had problems with attention and focus.
However, the State’s expert witness said he was not downplaying the seriousness of the accused’s medical background but said this was a separate issue from the ability to enter a plea. He said Mr Bouchaker could be kept “on target” and participate in the trial using appropriate supports such as repeating questions and relying on closed questions, reports Breaking News.
The State psychiatrist said that despite significant difficulties, Mr Bouchaker was able to understand choices and weigh up what had happened on the day in question.
The case is scheduled to continue tomorrow, reports Breaking News.
Mr Justice Hunt said he wanted submissions from both the prosecution and defence, along with expert evidence, to help him provide a rational justification for the conclusion he reaches.
The judge has directed that the legal representatives for the accused and the identities of the doctors giving evidence must not be named in media reports, reports Breaking News.
Mr Bouchaker is charged with the attempted murder of two girls and one boy, as well as assault causing serious harm to a care worker on 23 November 2023.
He also faces three counts of assault causing harm to two other young children and a passerby who intervened, along with one charge relating to the production of a knife, reports Breaking News.
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