Northern Ireland

Dublin Parnell Square knife attack: Injured girl (5) leaves hospital after nine months

The child’s family said ‘we begin a new chapter in our darling’s rehabilitation’

The 50-year-old is due to appear in court on Thursday afternoon charged in relation to a serious incident in Parnell Square East on November 23, gardai said
The attack happened in Parnell Square East on November 23 last year. PICTURE: PA (Brian Lawless/PA)

A five-year-old girl seriously injured in a knife attack outside a school in Dublin last year has been discharged from hospital.

The child’s family said “we begin a new chapter in our darling’s rehabilitation” after 281 days of treatment.

The young girl was one of three children and a creche worker injured outside Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire school in Parnell Square on November 23 last year.

In an update on the fundraiser page, Barróg do Chailín Beag, it was revealed that the little girl had finally left hospital last Friday.

“After 281 days, we were discharged from Temple Street Children’s Hospital,” they said.

“Today we begin a new chapter in our darling’s rehabilitation (or as we call it ‘The Gym’).

“The hope is that she is able to swallow food, move her arms and legs more purposefully, and utter some more sounds.”



It comes after the family said last month that she been able to leave hospital for the first time to visit her new home.

They said they had moved to an adapted house “so it was also the first time she saw her new neighbourhood and house”.

“It was a big step towards bringing her home for good...a very emotional one. And she did not disappoint. What a warrior!”

Candles and tributes left following a vigil held outside Gaelscoil Cholaiste Mhuire school on Parnell Square following the attack
Candles and tributes left following a vigil held outside Gaelscoil Cholaiste Mhuire school on Parnell Square following the attack

Riad Bouchaker (50) has been charged in connection with the attack and remains in custody awaiting trial.