A psychiatric assessment has now been finalized for Riad Bouchaker, who is facing charges of assaulting a care worker and attempting to murder three children in Dublin’s Parnell Square, the court has heard, reports RTE.
At the Central Criminal Court, senior counsel for Mr Bouchaker confirmed he received the psychiatric report yesterday and intends to share it with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) shortly.
Mr Justice Paul McDermott adjourned the case for further mention on 23 July, reports RTE.
Mr Bouchaker, aged 51 and with no fixed address, is accused of the attempted murder of two girls and one boy.
He also faces charges of assault causing serious harm to a care worker, along with possession or production of a knife.
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The alleged incident happened in Parnell Square on the afternoon of 23 November, 2023, reports RTE.
In December, the court was informed that a psychiatrist evaluating the accused believed additional work was needed from a neuropsychologist.
By April, the court heard the expert’s report was available, but the psychiatrist had requested an extra four weeks to complete her review, reports RTE.
The court also learned that the treating doctor had faced delays in accessing Mr Bouchaker in prison, along with issues related to interpreter availability.
At the previous hearing on 28 May, the court was told the psychiatrist expected to finalise her report within three weeks, r r
During that same session, Mr Justice McDermott referenced the ages of the complainants and emphasized the importance of prioritising the case once the psychiatric questions were settled.
He urged all parties, including legal representatives and medical professionals, to “strain themselves” so the matter could progress swiftly, reports RTE.
In February, the Department of Justice and the courts introduced a protocol designed to expedite cases involving children.
Under this new commitment, trials where a child is either the alleged victim or accused are to be completed within one year, wherever feasible, reports RTE.
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