All Rise: The Riad Bouchaker Trial

Today, the jurors heard from firefighters, advanced paramedics and a detective who were among the first emergency responders to arrive at Parnell Square East. 

Their evidence spoke to the chaotic scenes that confronted them and the efforts to save the little girl.

The jury was also shown some of the items recovered from Riad Bouchaker.

Day six of the trial heard from the first responders who arrived at the scene of the alleged knife attack. 

An experienced consultant said he’d never seen anything like it.

The first paramedic to treat the most seriously injured child took the stand; as well as a doctor who rushed to the scene when she heard what had happened.

There was also more eyewitness testimony, including from the man who grabbed the knife from the accused, Riad Bouchaker. 

Day Five of the trial heard from more eyewitnesses who gave accounts of the alleged attack, including a cyclist who hit the accused with a bike lock, and a man who knocked him to the ground with a punch to the face. 

A chef described sprinting across the road after seeing a child being stabbed, and a couple visiting Dublin that day described how an otherwise pleasant afternoon turned into anything but. 

Seven witnesses were called today, all of whom were cross-examined. 

Day four of the trial heard from the care worker, Leanne Flynn, who Riad Bouchaker is accused of causing serious harm to. 

They also heard from a man who was passing by as it all began to unfold, and a Deliveroo driver, Caio Benicio, who gave evidence of hitting Riad Bouchaker in the head with his motorbike helmet.

Day three of the Riad Bouchaker trial concluded with the evidence of a woman who described what she saw in the immediate aftermath of the Parnell Square attack. 

Before that, the jurors were shown exhibits recovered from the scene, including two bloodstained jackets and a photo of a knife found in the area.

There was also some evidence of a man in the area beforehand looking for a school.

Today, the jury was shown CCTV footage from the alleged attack on 23rd November 2023.

The montage was compiled by gardaí, and contained footage from the hours leading up to the attack, as well as the incident itself.

The jury also heard from another mother of one of the alleged victims.

The jury was back today for the opening of the case.

They were given a broad overview of what’s alleged to have happened and they also heard from the parents of some of the alleged victims.

The trial of Riad Bouchaker got underway today with jury selection.

Nine men and three women were sworn in, and the judge gave some details about the accused and how the running of this trial will differ slightly to others because of his circumstances.

Starting Monday 8 June 2026, this is a daily podcast covering the trial proceedings for Riad Bouchaker who was charged with eight offences relating to an alleged knife attack on Parnell Square in Dublin city on the 23rd of November 2023.

Among those charges are the attempted murder of three children - two girls and a boy.

Episodes will be released each evening while the trial is underway.

Five members of Jozef Puska's family have been sentenced for their roles in trying to cover up his murder of 23-year-old school teacher, Ashling Murphy.

She was brutally murdered along the banks of the Grand Canal in January 2022.

His wife, Lucia, pleaded guilty just before the trial began, while his two brothers and their wives were found guilty by a jury in June 2025.

Each of them received a custodial sentence and in this episode, Frank and Aisling detail the court proceedings, the mitigating factors put forward by their defence teams, and the judge's ultimate reasoning for each sentence.

They will also read in full the harrowing victim impact statements from Ashling's sister, Amy, and their father, Ray.