The mother of a young girl who was seriously injured in a multiple stabbing outside a primary school on Parnell Square two years ago has said that “one day” her daughter may decide to tell her “own story”.
The attack happened outside Coláiste Mhuire national school in Dublin 1 on November 23rd, 2023, during which several other people were also injured, reports Breaking News.
Five years old at the time, the girl was critically hurt and spent most of the following year in Temple Street Children’s Hospital before being discharged from medical care for a year.
Since the incident, the family have continued to post updates on a GoFundMe page that was established afterwards and which raised a final total of almost €146,000 before being closed, reports Breaking News.
After recently marking her seventh birthday, the girl’s parents explained that the fundraising page was being shut down and that legal proceedings connected to the incident have now begun.
“The page may be closing, but her journey is only beginning. And perhaps one day she chooses to tell her own story. We will leave it to her,” her mother said, reports Breaking News.
She said the family now live in “marvel and hope” at the positive progress their daughter has made in her health battle in the two years since the attack.
“Over a year ago, when our girl was still in (a) critical state, I wrote a poem called Land of Memory and Hope. Those words poured out during a sleepless and teary night. There was so much heartache,” her mother explained, reports Breaking News.
“Today, the title would be Land of Marvel and Hope. Those who are constantly around our angel warrior can testify to her tenacity and her happiness,” reports Breaking News.
The mother said she “marvels” at how far her daughter “has come, how much joy she spreads,” adding that she “truly hope everyone can witness how infectious her laughter and strength are.”
“Me and my husband do everything we can to give her the best opportunities and chances for recovery however (it is us) who learn patience and kindness from her. What a gift,” she continued, reports Breaking News.
Both parents concluded: “We wish all of you the most enjoyable festivities and hope, from the bottom of our hearts, that the messages to take from her story is a beautiful one”, reports Breaking News.
Riad Bouchaker, 51, of no fixed abode, is currently before the courts charged with three counts of attempted murder, one count of producing and possessing a kitchen knife, three counts of assault causing harm, and one count of assault causing serious harm.
Last week, his legal team told the Central Criminal Court that Bouchaker is suffering from a mental disorder and is unfit to stand trial, reports Breaking News.
A consultant forensic psychiatrist also said the accused, who has a complex medical history, sustained a brain injury “in the course of members of the public intervening” on the day of the alleged offence and had undergone brain surgery some years earlier.
The defence expert witness said that if Bouchaker is found unfit to stand trial, his case would be reviewed every six months by the mental health criminal law review board, reports Breaking News.
The hearing was adjourned until January 19th, and the accused was remanded in custody until that date.
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